- primitive
- prim|i|tive1 [ˈprımıtıv] adj▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(way of life)¦2¦(not modern)¦3¦(animals/plants)¦4¦(feelings)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1300-1400; : Latin; Origin: primitivus, from primus; PRIME1]1.) ¦(WAY OF LIFE)¦belonging to a simple way of life that existed in the past and does not have modern industries and machines▪ a primitive society▪ a primitive nomadic tribe▪ the tools used by primitive man▪ primitive art2.) ¦(NOT MODERN)¦something that is primitive is very simple and does not have the extra modern parts that would make it faster, better, more comfortable etc▪ The first station buildings were quite primitive.▪ The local hospital care is primitive and unreliable.▪ Conditions at the camp are very primitive.▪ a primitive steam engine3.) ¦(ANIMALS/PLANTS)¦a primitive animal or plant has a simple structure or body▪ primitive life-forms that live deep in the ocean▪ a primitive single-celled creature4.) ¦(FEELINGS)¦primitive feelings are not based on reason, and seem to come from a part of people's character that is ancient and animal-like▪ the primitive instinct of survival▪ primitive desires>primitively adv>primitiveness n [U]primitive 2primitive2 nan artist who paints simple pictures like those of a child
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.