primitive
adj. · n.-
1 early or ancient (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatebelonging to a very early time in history or the early stages of development.
relating to the character of an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something.
ExampleThe museum has a collection of primitive stone tools used by early humans.
ExampleArchaeologists discovered primitive dwellings that suggest the community had a much more sophisticated social structure than previously assumed.
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2 simple or crude (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatevery simple and not developed; often lacking modern comforts or technology.
lacking in sophistication or comfort; basic and perhaps uncomfortable.
ExampleThe conditions at the mountain camp were very primitive, with no running water.
ExampleThe refugees were forced to live in primitive shelters made of plastic sheets and scrap wood until more permanent housing could be arranged.
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3 computing/math building block (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Computinga basic part or shape that you use to build more complex things.
a fundamental element or basic data type from which more complex structures or functions are derived.
ExampleIn this programming language, an integer is a primitive data type.
ExampleThe graphics engine uses geometric primitives like spheres and cubes to render the complex architectural models in real time.
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4 linguistics/grammar (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Academica basic word that other words are made from.
a primary word or root from which other words are derived through inflection or affixation.
ExampleThe linguist identified the primitive form of the verb before it was changed by modern usage.
ExampleThe study focuses on identifying semantic primitives that appear to be universal across unrelated language families.
From Middle English primitif, from Old French primitif, from Latin prīmitīvus (“first or earliest of its kind”), from prīmus (“first”); see prime. Doublet of primitivo.