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Primitive vs Primordial - What's the difference?

primitive | primordial |

Primordial is a synonym of primitive.



In biology terms the difference between primitive and primordial

is that primitive is occurring in or characteristic of an early stage of development or evolution while primordial is characteristic of the earliest stage of the development of an organism, or relating to a primordium.

As nouns the difference between primitive and primordial

is that primitive is an original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to {{term|derivative}} while primordial is a first principle or element.

As adjectives the difference between primitive and primordial

is that primitive is of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first while primordial is first, earliest or original.

primitive

Noun

(en noun)
  • An original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to (derivative).
  • A member of a primitive society.
  • A simple-minded person.
  • (computing, programming) A data type that is built into the programming language, as opposed to more complex structures.
  • A basic geometric shape from which more complex shapes can be constructed.
  • (mathematics) A function whose derivative is a given function; an antiderivative.
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first.
  • Of or pertaining to or harking back to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=4 citation , passage=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.}}
  • (rfc-sense) Crude, obsolete.
  • (grammar) Original; primary; radical; not derived.
  • (biology) Occurring in or characteristic of an early stage of development or evolution.
  • Derived terms

    * primitiveness

    Synonyms

    * backwards

    primordial

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • first, earliest or original
  • * Sir W. Hamilton
  • the primordial facts of our intelligent nature
  • (biology) characteristic of the earliest stage of the development of an organism, or relating to a primordium
  • a primordial''' leaf; a '''primordial cell
  • primeval
  • Derived terms

    * primordial black hole * primordial cell * primordial element * primordial fluctuations * primordial soup

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A first principle or element.