primitive primitive /ˈprɪmɪtɪv/

adjective

1. () Belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness  ( crude , rude , primitive )
   belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
    The crude weapons and rude agricultural implements of early man
   the crude weapons and rude agricultural implements of early man
    Primitive movies of the 1890s
   primitive movies of the 1890s
    Primitive living conditions in the Appalachian mountains
   primitive living conditions in the Appalachian mountains
   
2. () Little evolved from or characteristic of an earlier ancestral type  ( archaic , primitive )
   little evolved from or characteristic of an earlier ancestral type
    Archaic forms of life
   archaic forms of life
    Primitive mammals
   primitive mammals
    The okapi is a short-necked primitive cousin of the giraffe
   the okapi is a short-necked primitive cousin of the giraffe
   
3. () (anthropology) used of preliterate, tribal or nonindustrial societies  ( primitive )
   (anthropology) used of preliterate, tribal or nonindustrial societies
    Primitive societies
   primitive societies
   
4. (fine arts) of or created by one without formal training; simple or naive in style  ( naive , primitive , naïve )
   (fine arts) of or created by one without formal training; simple or naive in style
    Primitive art such as that by Grandma Moses is often colorful and striking
   primitive art such as that by Grandma Moses is often colorful and striking
   

noun

1. A word serving as the basis for inflected or derived forms  ( primitive )
   a word serving as the basis for inflected or derived forms
    Pick' is the primitive from which picket' is derived
   pick' is the primitive from which picket' is derived
   
2. A mathematical expression from which another expression is derived  ( primitive )
   a mathematical expression from which another expression is derived
   
3. A person who belongs to an early stage of civilization  ( primitive , primitive person )
   a person who belongs to an early stage of civilization