Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [prim-i-tiv]
- /ˈprɪm ɪ tɪv/
- /ˈprɪm.ɪ.tɪv/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [prim-i-tiv]
- /ˈprɪm ɪ tɪv/
Definitions of primitive word
- adjective primitive being the first or earliest of the kind or in existence, especially in an early age of the world: primitive forms of life. 1
- adjective primitive early in the history of the world or of humankind. 1
- adjective primitive characteristic of early ages or of an early state of human development: primitive toolmaking. 1
- adjective primitive Anthropology. of or relating to a preliterate or tribal people having cultural or physical similarities with their early ancestors: no longer in technical use. 1
- adjective primitive unaffected or little affected by civilizing influences; uncivilized; savage: primitive passions. 1
- adjective primitive being in its earliest period; early: the primitive phase of the history of a town. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of primitive
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English (noun and adj.) (< Middle French primitif) < Latin prīmitīvus first of its kind. See prime, -itive
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Primitive
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
primitive popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
primitive usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for primitive
adj primitive
- aboriginal — An Aboriginal is an Australian Aborigine.
- amoebic — of, relating to, or resembling an ameba.
- anatomical — Anatomical means relating to the structure of the bodies of people and animals.
- antediluvian — Antediluvian things are old or old-fashioned.
- anti-social — Someone who is anti-social is unwilling to meet and be friendly with other people.
noun primitive
- aborigine — Aborigines are members of the tribes that were living in Australia when Europeans arrived there.
- anthropophagi — cannibals
- anthropophagite — a cannibal
- autochthon — one of the earliest known inhabitants of any country; aboriginal
- bushman — A Bushman is an aboriginal person from the southwestern part of Africa, especially the Kalahari desert region.
adjective primitive
- anthropophagous — Who practices anthropophagy.
- aper — a person who apes, a mimic
- atavistic — Atavistic feelings or behaviour seem to be very primitive, like the feelings or behaviour of our earliest ancestors.
- elemental — Primary or basic.
- elementary — Of or relating to the most rudimentary aspects of a subject.
Top questions with primitive
- what does primitive mean?
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See also
Matching words
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