pri ‧ me ‧ val BrE AmE ( also primaeval British English ) /praɪˈmiːv ə l/ adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: primaevus , from primus ( ⇨ ↑ prime 1 ) + aevum 'age' ]
1 . belonging to the earliest time in the existence of the universe or the Earth:
Primeval clouds of gas formed themselves into stars.
2 . very ancient:
primeval forests
3 . primeval feelings are very strong and seem to come from a part of people’s character that is ancient and animal-like:
the primeval urge to reproduce