Primary
/ˈpraɪ.mer.i/noun
First in order, rank, importance, or occurrence.
Did you know?Primary ultimately comes from Latin primarius, from primus meaning “first,” the same ancient root behind words for princes, prime numbers, and even the idea of prime time.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“To give the idea of forwardness, firstness, or before”
Latin
Latin
primus
“First; foremost; earliest”
Latin
Latin
primarius
“Chief; principal; of the first rank”
Old French
OF
primaire
“Primary; first in order or importance”
Middle English
English
primaire
“First, principal, original”
Modern English
English
primary
“First in order, rank, or importance”