PRIMAL

aboriginal, primal, primeval, primaeval, primordial

(adjective) having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state; ā€œaboriginal forestsā€; ā€œprimal eras before the appearance of life on earthā€; ā€œthe forest primevalā€; ā€œprimordial matterā€; ā€œprimordial forms of lifeā€

cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal

(adjective) serving as an essential component; ā€œa cardinal ruleā€; ā€œthe central cause of the problemā€; ā€œan example that was fundamental to the argumentā€; ā€œcomputers are fundamental to modern industrial structureā€

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

primal (not comparable)

Being the first in time or in history.

Of greatest importance; primary.

(meat trade) Being one of the pieces of meat initially separated from the carcass during butchering, prior to division into smaller cuts.

Synonyms

• (first in time or history): aboriginal, primaeval/primeval, primordial

• (of greatest importance): primary

Noun

primal (plural primals)

A primal cut (of meat).

Verb

primal (third-person singular simple present primals, present participle primalling or primaling, simple past and past participle primalled or primaled)

(intransitive) To take part in primal therapy.

Anagrams

• imparl

Source: Wiktionary


Pri"mal, a. Etym: [LL. primalis, fr. L. primus the first. See Prime, a.]

Definition: First; primary; original; chief. It hath the primal eldest curse upon it. Shak. The primal duties shine aloft like stars. Wordsworth.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 November 2024

THEORETICAL

(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; ā€œtheoretical scienceā€


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Coffee Trivia

Raw coffee beans, soaked in water and spices, are chewed like candy in many parts of Africa.

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