primitive

From Old French primitif, from Latin prīmitīvus (“first or earliest of its kind”), from prīmus (“first”); see prime.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɪmɪtɪv/
• Rhymes: -ɪmɪtɪv
• Hyphenation: prim‧i‧tive

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primitive (plural primitives)

1. (linguistics) An original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to derivative.
2. A member of a primitive society.
3. A simple-minded person.
4. (computing, programming) A data type that is built into the programming language, as opposed to more complex structures.
5. (computing, programming) Any of the simplest elements (instructions, statements, etc.) available in a programming language[1].
6. A basic geometric shape from which more complex shapes can be constructed.
7. (mathematics) A function whose derivative is a given function; an antiderivative.

• word: primitive word, radical, radical word

primitive (comparative more primitive, superlative most primitive)

1. Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first.

   primitive innocence;   the primitive church

2. Of or pertaining to or harking back to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity.

   Synonym: backwards

   a primitive style of dress

   • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest‎:

     By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.

3. (Can we clean up⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) Crude, obsolete.

   primitive ideas

4. (grammar) Original; primary; radical; not derived.

   Synonym: radical

   Antonyms: derivative, derived

   a primitive verb

   • 1831, Noah Webster, Rudiments of English Grammar; Being an Abridgment of the Improved Grammar of the English Language, New-Haven, p.6:

     Division of words. Words are primitive or radical, and derivative or compound.

     Of primitive words. Primitive or radical words are such as cannot be divided, or separated into parts which are significant; as man, hope, bless.

5. (biology) Occurring in or characteristic of an early stage of development or evolution.
6. (mathematics) Not derived from another of the same type

   Synonym: imprimitive

• multiprimitive
• primitiveness

• IPA^(key): /pʁi.mi.tiv/

See the etymology of the main entry.

primitive

1. feminine singular of primitif

By ellipsis of [fonction] primitive.

primitive f (plural primitives)

1. (mathematics) antiderivative

   Antonym: dérivée

• intégrale

• “primitive” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

primitive

1. inflection of primitiv:
   1. strong and mixed nominative and accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative and accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine and neuter singular

primitive

1. Feminine plural of adjective primitivo.

prīmitīve

1. vocative masculine singular of prīmitīvus

primitive

1. definite singular of primitiv
2. plural of primitiv

primitive

1. definite singular of primitiv
2. plural of primitiv