Primitive: meaning, definitions and examples

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primitive

 

[ หˆprษชmษชtษชv ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

in technology

relating to or denoting a preliterate, nonindustrial society or culture characterized by simple social and economic organization.

Synonyms

prehistoric, uncivilized, undeveloped

Examples of usage

  • The tribe still lives in a primitive society, relying on hunting and gathering for survival.
  • Primitive tools such as stone axes were used by early humans for hunting and building shelters.
Context #2 | Adjective

in design

relating to or denoting a simple, unsophisticated style, especially in art or technology.

Synonyms

basic, crude, elementary

Examples of usage

  • The artist preferred a primitive art style, using basic shapes and colors.
  • The designer chose a primitive font for the logo to convey a sense of raw creativity.
Context #3 | Noun

in biology

an early or original form or state.

Synonyms

ancestor, primordial, prototype

Examples of usage

  • The fossil represents a primitive of the modern-day species.
  • In evolutionary biology, researchers study the characteristics of primitive organisms.

Translations

Translations of the word "primitive" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น primitivo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคพเคฅเคฎเคฟเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช primitiv

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ primitif

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะธะผั–ั‚ะธะฒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ prymitywny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅŽŸๅง‹็š„ (genshiteki)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท primitif

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ primitivo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ilkel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์›์‹œ์ ์ธ (wonsijeog-in)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุฏุงุฆูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ primitivnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ primitรญvny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŽŸๅง‹็š„ (yuรกnshว de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ primitiven

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ frumstรฆtt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั€ะฐะฟะฐะนั‹ะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒ แƒ˜แƒ›แƒ˜แƒขแƒ˜แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ primitiv

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ primitivo

Etymology

The word 'primitive' originated from the Latin word 'primitivus', which means 'first of its kind' or 'earliest of its time'. It was first used in English in the late 14th century to refer to things that are ancient, original, or basic. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various meanings related to simplicity, early stages, and lack of sophistication.

See also: primacy, primate, prime, primer.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,803, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.