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1. Dictionary

   prim·i·tive

   /ˈprimədiv/

   adjective

   • 1. relating to, denoting, or preserving the character of an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something: "primitive mammals" Similar ancientearliestfirstprehistoricantediluvianantiqueprimordialprimevalprimalprimaryloweroriginalproto-ur-rare:autochthonousautochthonicprimigenialOpposite modernrecentdeveloped
   • ▪ relating to or denoting a preliterate, nonindustrial society or culture characterized by simple social and economic organization: "primitive people" Similar preliteratenonindustrialpreindustrialundevelopedindigenousaboriginalsimpleunsophisticatedOpposite advancedliterateindustrial
   • ▪ (of behavior, thought, or emotion) apparently originating in unconscious needs or desires and unaffected by objective reasoning: "the primitive responses we share with many animals"
   • ▪ of or denoting a simple, direct style of art that deliberately rejects sophisticated artistic techniques: "the Fauves saw primitive art as a liberating force" Similar simplenaturalunsophisticatednaiveunaffectedundevelopedchildlikeinnocentartlessunpretentiousuntaughtuntraineduntutoredOpposite sophisticatedrefined
   • 2. having a quality or style that offers an extremely basic level of comfort, convenience, or efficiency: "the accommodations at the camp were a bit primitive" Similar crudesimpleroughbasicelementaryrough-hewnrudimentaryundevelopedunrefinedunsophisticatedruderough and readymakeshiftold-fashionedobsoletearchaicOpposite sophisticatedadvanced
   • 3. not developed or derived from anything else: "the primitive material of the universe"
   • ▪ denoting a word, base, or root from which another is historically derived.
   • ▪ (of an algebraic or geometric expression) from which another is derived, or which is not itself derived from another.
   • 4. (of a part or structure) in the first or early stage of formation or growth; rudimentary.

   noun

   • 1. a person belonging to a preliterate, nonindustrial society: "reports of travelers and missionaries described contemporary primitives"
   • 2. a pre-Renaissance painter.
   • ▪ a modern painter who imitates the pre-Renaissance style.
   • ▪ an artist employing a simple, naive style that deliberately rejects subtlety or conventional techniques: "the Catalan primitives"
   • ▪ a painting by a primitive artist, or an object in a primitive style: "Santa Fe style antiques and Mexican primitives"
   • 3. a word, base, or root from which another is historically derived.
   • ▪ an algebraic or geometric expression from which another is derived; a curve of which another is the polar or reciprocal.
   • ▪ a simple operation or procedure of a limited set from which complex operations or procedures may be constructed, especially a simple geometric shape that may be generated in computer graphics by such an operation or procedure: "the program includes a complete set of drawing primitives"

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘original, not derivative’): from Old French primitif, -ive, from Latin primitivus ‘first of its kind’, from primus ‘first’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. primitively adverb
   • 2. primitiveness noun
   • 3. primitivity noun

   Scrabble Points: 16

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › primitivePrimitive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › primitive

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   Learn the meaning of primitive as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Primitive can refer to something original, basic, crude, or related to a primitive culture or art.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPRIMITIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Primitive means relating to human society at a very early stage of development, with people living in a simple way without machines or a writing system. It can also be disapproving of basic and unpleasant conditions. See more meanings, synonyms, and translations of primitive.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › primitivePRIMITIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › primitive

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   Primitive definition: being the first or earliest of the kind or in existence, especially in an early age of the world. See examples of PRIMITIVE used in a sentence.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › primitivePrimitive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › primitive

   being or occurring at an early stage of development. adjective. used of preliterate or tribal or nonindustrial societies. “ primitive societies” synonyms: noncivilised, noncivilized. not having a high state of culture and social development. noun. a person who belongs to an early stage of civilization. synonyms: primitive person. see more.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPRIMITIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Primitive means belonging to a simple society, a very early stage of evolution, or a naive style of art. Learn more about the word origin, synonyms, and usage examples of primitive.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › primitivePrimitive - definition of primitive by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › primitive

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   Primitive means of or relating to an early or original stage or state, or having a simple or crude style or character. It can also refer to a nonindustrial, often tribal society, a word or concept from which another is derived, or a basic unit of machine instruction.

8. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › primitiveprimitive | meaning of primitive in Longman Dictionary of...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › primitive

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning of primitive as an adjective and a noun, with examples of usage and related topics. Primitive can describe a simple way of life, a simple structure, a simple feeling, or a simple art style.