Primitive

Quick meaning: Primitive is a noun meaning (linguistics) An original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to derivative.

Meaning

(linguistics) An original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to derivative.

More Meanings

1. A member of a primitive society.
2. Primitive or primeval nature; the innate, instinctive element within a person; the deep, instinctive, precultural layer of human nature.
3. Natural or premodern environment or conditions; life lacking modern technology and society.
4. A simple-minded person.
5. (programming) A data type that is built into the programming language, as opposed to more complex structures.
6. (programming) Any of the simplest elements (instructions, statements, etc.) available in a programming language.
7. A basic geometric shape from which more complex shapes can be constructed.

Example Sentences

a primitive style of dress

primitive innocence; the primitive church

A write-what-where primitive allows the attacker to write arbitrary data wherever they want in the memory

it is from such primitive beings that the highest organisms now extant are the marvellously developed descendants

Word Forms

• primitives
• primative

Synonyms for primitive

Depending on context, synonyms include radical, incipient, nascent, primary, beginning, commencing.

Antonyms for primitive

Common opposites include derivative, derived.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include natural, primary, early, simple, crude, untrained.

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