Primitive

a. [Lat. primitivus, from primus, the first, It., Sp., & Pg. primitivo, Pr. primitiu, Fr. primitif.]

1Sense 1. Pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; first; as, the primitive state of Adam; primitive innocence; the primitive church.

2Sense 2. Formal; affectedly solemn; imitating the supposed gravity of old times; prim. Johnson.

3Sense 3. Original; primary; radical; not derived; as, a primitive verb in grammar.

Primitive axes of co-ordinates (Geom.), that system of axes to which the points of a magnitude are first referred with reference to a second set or system, to which they are afterward referred. Math. Dict.—Primitive chord (Mus.), that chord, the lowest note of which is of the same literal denomination as the fundamental base of the harmony. Moore.—Primitive circle (Spherical Projection), the circle cut from the sphere to be projected, by the primitive plane.—Primitive colors (Paint.), primary colors. See PRIMARY.—Primitive plane, the plane upon which the projections are made, generally coinciding with some principal circle of the sphere, as the equator, a meridian, or the like. Math. Dict.—Primitive rocks (Geol.), rocks supposed to be first formed, being irregularly crystallized, and aggregated without a cement, and containing no organic remains, as granite, gneiss, and the like.

Synonyms— Original; first; primary; radical; pristine; ancient; antique; antiquated; old-fashioned.