n.
Pronunciation: ' pr ī - ˌ mer- ē , ' pr ī -m ə -r ē , ' pr ī m-r ē
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin primarius basic, primary, from Latin, principal, from primus
Date: 15th century
1 : first in order of time or development : PRIMITIVE <the primary stage of civilization> <the primary lesion of a disease>
2 a : of first rank, importance, or value : PRINCIPAL <the primary purpose> b : BASIC , FUNDAMENTAL <security is a primary need> c : of, relating to, or constituting the principal quills of a bird's wing d : of or relating to agriculture, forestry, and the extractive industries or their products e : expressive of present or future time < primary tense> f : of, relating to, or constituting the strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists <the first syllable of basketball carries primary stress>
3 a : DIRECT , FIRSTHAND < primary sources of information> b : not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes c : preparatory to something else in a continuing process < primary instruction> d : of or relating to a primary school < primary education> e : of or relating to a primary election <a primary candidate> f : belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications < primary nerves> g : directly derived from ores < primary metals> h : of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins < primary protein structure>
4 : resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule <a primary amine> especially : being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom
5 : of, relating to, involving, or derived from primary meristem < primary tissue> < primary growth>
6 : of, relating to, or involved in the production of organic substances by green plants < primary productivity>
7 : providing primary care <a primary physician>