Primitive
/ˈprɪm.ɪ.tɪv/noun
Relating to an early stage of development or to the earliest known form of something.
Did you know?In medieval Latin, *primitivus* meant “first of its kind” or “original,” so the word began as a time-marker before it was ever used to judge people or cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to produce, bring forth, or lead forward”
Latin
Latin
primus
“first, foremost”
Late Latin
Latin
primitivus
“first of its kind; original”
Old French
Old French
primitif
“original; first formed”
14th Century
English
primitive
“original, primary; belonging to an early stage”
Modern English
English
primitive
“relating to an early stage of development or civilization”