primitive

Etymology

From Old French primitif, from Latin prīmitīvus (“first or earliest of its kind”), from prīmus (“first”); see prime.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɪmɪtɪv/
• Rhymes: -ɪmɪtɪv
• Hyphenation: prim‧i‧tive

• Audio (US)

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Noun

primitive (plural primitives)

1. (linguistics) An original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to derivative.
2. A member of a primitive society.
3. A simple-minded person.
4. (computing, programming) A data type that is built into the programming language, as opposed to more complex structures.
5. (computing, programming) Any of the simplest elements (instructions, statements, etc.) available in a programming language^[1].
6. A basic geometric shape from which more complex shapes can be constructed.
7. (mathematics) A function whose derivative is a given function; an antiderivative.

Adjective

primitive (comparative more primitive, superlative most primitive)

1. Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first.

   primitive innocence;   the primitive church

2. Of or pertaining to or harking back to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity.

   Synonym: backwards

   a primitive style of dress

   • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest‎:

     By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.

3. (Can we clean up⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) Crude, obsolete.

   primitive ideas

4. (grammar) Original; primary; radical; not derived.

   Synonym: radical

   Antonyms: derivative, derived

   a primitive verb

   • 1831, Noah Webster, Rudiments of English Grammar; Being an Abridgment of the Improved Grammar of the English Language, New-Haven, p.6:

     Division of words. Words are primitive or radical, and derivative or compound.

     Of primitive words. Primitive or radical words are such as cannot be divided, or separated into parts which are significant; as man, hope, bless.

5. (biology) Occurring in or characteristic of an early stage of development or evolution.
6. (mathematics) Not derived from another of the same type

   Synonym: imprimitive

References

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pʁi.mi.tiv/

Etymology 1

See etymology on the main entry.

Etymology 2

By ellipsis of [fonction] primitive.

Further reading

• “primitive” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Adjective

primitive

1. inflected form of primitiv

Adjective

primitive

1. feminine plural of primitivo

Adjective

prīmitīve

1. vocative masculine singular of prīmitīvus

Adjective

primitive

1. definite singular of primitiv
2. plural of primitiv

Adjective

primitive

1. definite singular of primitiv
2. plural of primitiv