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Definition primitive

Etymology

From Old French primitif, from Latin pr?mit?vus (“first or earliest of its kind”), from pr?mus (“first”); see prime.

Noun

primitive (plural primitives)

1. (linguistics) An original or primary word; a word not derived from another, as opposed to derivative.
2. A member of a primitive society.
3. A simple-minded person.
4. (computing, programming) A data type that is built into the programming language, as opposed to more complex structures.
5. (computing, programming) Any of the simplest elements (instructions, statements, etc.) available in a programming language.
6. A basic geometric shape from which more complex shapes can be constructed.
7. (mathematics) A function whose derivative is a given function; an antiderivative.

Adjective

primitive (comparative more primitive, superlative most primitive)

1. Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first.
2. Of or pertaining to or harking back to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity.
3. (Can we clean up this sense?) Crude, obsolete.
4. (grammar) Original; primary; radical; not derived.
5. (biology) Occurring in or characteristic of an early stage of development or evolution.
6. (mathematics) Not derived from another of the same type