primitive
ˈprɪmɪtɪv
Definition Synonyms

Definition of primitive - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
technologylacking modern technology or comforts
  • He lived in a primitive cabin without electricity..
basic rudimentary
2.
evolutionTECH.related to early evolutionary stagesTECH.
  • Primitive organisms lacked complex structures.
ancient early rudimentary
3.
historycharacteristic of early human societies
  • Primitive tribes relied on hunting and gathering.
ancient prehistoric primeval

Noun

1.
developmentTECH.early stage of development or evolutionTECH.
  • The tool was a primitive, yet effective, device..
early rudimentary
2.
technologyTECH.basic data type in programmingTECH.
  • Integer is a common primitive in programming.
data type primitive type
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Expressions with primitive

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art from early historical periods or indigenous cultures
The museum's collection includes primitive art from ancient civilizations.
basic data type in programming languages
Integer is a common primitive type in many languages.
basic element for receiving data in computing systems
The input primitive handles user commands efficiently.
basic model lacking complexity
The primitive idealization fails to account for modern variables.
number generating all coprime numbers modulo n
In modulo 7, 3 is a primitive root.
structure in embryos that helps form cell layers
The primitive streak appears early in the embryo.

Origin of primitive

Latin, primitivus (first of its kind)

Terms with primitive included in their meaning

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savageadj.
primitive
barbaric and not civilized
culture
uncivilized or primitive person
primitive methods
the skill of starting a fire without modern tools
primitive
not advanced in social, cultural, or moral development
figurative
person with outdated or primitive behavior
historical tool
primitive tool with a stone head
animal
large primitive fish with bony plates, elongated snout, produces caviar
psychology
person with primitive beliefs or habits

Examples of primitive in a sentence

  • Their lifestyle was quite primitive, with no modern amenities.
  • Primitive features are evident in these fossils.
  • The primitive design of the tool was effective.
  • Primitive tools were found at the site.
  • Their primitive lifestyle lacked modern conveniences.
  • Primitive art often features simple designs.

View all translations of primitive

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:primitif, stade initial, ...
  2. German:primitiv, Primitive, ...
  3. Italian:rudimentale, tipo primitivo, ...
  4. Spanish:rudimentario, tipo primitivo, ...
  5. Portuguese:rudimentar, tipo primitivo, ...
  6. Chinese:简陋的, 早期工具, ...
  7. Japanese:原始的な, 原始的, ...
  8. Arabic:بِدَائِيّ, مرحلة بدائية, ...
  9. Hebrew:פְּרִימִיטִיבִי, פְּרִימִיטִיב, ...
  10. Russian:примитивный, ранний этап, ...
  11. Ukrainian:примітивний, примітив, ...
  12. Hindi:आदिम, प्रिमिटिव, ...
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