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Primitive vs Simple - What's the difference?

primitive | simple |

In mathematics terms the difference between primitive and simple

is that primitive is a function whose derivative is a given function; an antiderivative while simple is of a group: having no normal subgroup.

As nouns the difference between primitive and simple

is that primitive is an original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to {{term|derivative}} while simple is a preparation made from one plant, as opposed to something made from more than one plant.

As adjectives the difference between primitive and simple

is that primitive is of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first while simple is uncomplicated; taken by itself, with nothing added.

As a verb simple is

to gather simples, ie, medicinal herbs.

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

    simple

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Uncomplicated; taken by itself, with nothing added.
  • *
  • *:“[…] We are engaged in a great work, a treatise on our river fortifications, perhaps? But since when did army officers afford the luxury of amanuenses in this simple republic?”
  • *2001 , Sydney I. Landau, Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography , Cambridge University Press (ISBN 0-521-78512-X), page 167,
  • *:There is no simple way to define precisely a complex arrangement of parts, however homely the object may appear to be.
  • Without ornamentation; plain.
  • Free from duplicity; guileless, innocent, straightforward.
  • * (ca.1576-1634)
  • *:Full many fine men go upon my score, as simple as I stand here, and I trust them.
  • *(Lord Byron) (1788-1824)
  • *:Must thou trust Tradition's simple tongue?
  • *(Ralph Waldo Emerson) (1803-1882)
  • *:To be simple is to be great.
  • Undistinguished in social condition; of no special rank.
  • Trivial; insignificant.
  • *1485 , (Thomas Malory), (w, Le Morte d'Arthur) , Book X:
  • *:‘That was a symple cause,’ seyde Sir Trystram, ‘for to sle a good knyght for seyynge well by his maystir.’
  • Feeble-minded; foolish.
  • Structurally uncomplicated.
  • #(lb) Consisting of one single substance; uncompounded.
  • #(lb) Of a group: having no normal subgroup.
  • #(lb) Not compound, but possibly lobed.
  • #(lb) Consisting of a single individual or zooid; not compound.
  • #:
  • #(lb) Homogenous.
  • (lb) Mere; not other than; being only.
  • *(William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
  • *:A medicinewhose simple touch / Is powerful to araise King Pepin.
  • Synonyms

    * (consisting of a single part or aspect) onefold * (having few parts or features) plain * See also

    Antonyms

    * (having few parts or features) complex, compound, complicated * (uncomplicated) subtle

    Derived terms

    * fee simple * future simple * oversimple * past simple * plain and simple * present simple * pure and simple * simple beam * simple connectivity * simple contract * simple dislocation * simple equation * simple extension * simple eye * simple fraction * simple fracture * simple fruit * simple function * simple future * simple group * simple harmonic motion * simple-hearted * simple interest * simple leaf * simple linear regression * simple machine * simple mastectomy * simple microscope * simple-minded * simple past * simple pendulum * simple pistil * simple pole * simple present * simple protein * simple regression * simple sentence * Simple Simon * simple sugar * simple syrup * simple time * simple trust * simplehead * simpleness * simpless * simplex * simply * single * simplicity * simpleton

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (medicine) A preparation made from one plant, as opposed to something made from more than one plant.
  • *, II.37:
  • *:I know there are some simples , which in operation are moistening and some drying.
  • *Sir W. Temple
  • *:What virtue is in this remedy lies in the naked simple itself as it comes over from the Indies.
  • (obsolete) A term for a physician, derived from the medicinal term above.
  • (logic) A simple or atomic proposition.
  • (obsolete) Something not mixed or compounded.
  • *Shakespeare
  • *:compounded of many simples
  • (weaving) A drawloom.
  • (weaving) Part of the apparatus for raising the heddles of a drawloom.
  • (Roman Catholic) A feast which is not a double or a semidouble.
  • Verb

    (simpl)
  • (transitive, intransitive, archaic) To gather simples, ie, medicinal herbs.
  • Derived terms

    * simpler * simplist * simplify

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    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----