(also prim·aeval ) / praɪˈmiːvl; NAmE / adjective [ usually before noun ]
1.
from the earliest period of the history of the world, very ancient :
primeval forests
2.
( formal ) ( of a feeling, or a desire ) very strong and not based on reason, as if from the earliest period of human life :
primeval urges
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin primaevus (from primus first + aevum age) + -al .