I. prim ‧ i ‧ tive 1 /ˈprɪmətɪv, ˈprɪmɪtɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: primitivus , from primus ; ⇨ ↑ prime 1 ]
1 . WAY OF LIFE belonging to a simple way of life that existed in the past and does not have modern industries and machines OPP advanced , modern :
a primitive society
a primitive nomadic tribe
the tools used by primitive man
primitive art
2 . NOT MODERN something that is primitive is very simple and does not have the extra modern parts that would make it faster, better, more comfortable etc OPP advanced , modern :
The first station buildings were quite primitive.
The local hospital care is primitive and unreliable.
Conditions at the camp are very primitive.
a primitive steam engine
3 . ANIMALS/PLANTS a primitive animal or plant has a simple structure or body:
primitive life-forms that live deep in the ocean
a primitive single-celled creature
4 . FEELINGS primitive feelings are not based on reason, and seem to come from a part of people’s character that is ancient and animal-like:
the primitive instinct of survival
primitive desires
—primitively adverb
—primitiveness noun [uncountable]
II. primitive 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
an artist who paints simple pictures like those of a child