primitive
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++prim·i·tive1 /ˈprɪmətɪv/ ●●○ adjective 1 way of life 生活方式SA belonging to a simple way of life that existed in the past and does not have modern industries and machines 原始的，远古的 OPP advanced, modern a primitive society 原始社会 a primitive nomadic tribe 原始的游牧部落 the tools used by primitive man 原始人所用的工具 primitive art 原始艺术2 not modern 非现代的SIMPLE/NOT COMPLICATED something that is primitive is very simple and does not have the extra modern parts that would make it faster, better, more comfortable etc 老式的，简陋的 OPP advanced, modern The first station buildings were quite primitive. 最初的车站建筑很简陋。 The local hospital care is primitive and unreliable. 当地医院的治疗水平落后，靠不住。 Conditions at the camp are very primitive. 营地条件非常简陋。 a primitive steam engine 老式蒸汽发动机3 animals/plants 动物/植物SA a primitive animal or plant has a simple structure or body 〔动物或植物〕原始的，低等的 primitive life-forms that live deep in the ocean 生活在大洋深处的低等生物 a primitive single-celled creature 原始的单细胞生物4 feelings 情感 primitive feelings are not based on reason, and seem to come from a part of people’s character that is ancient and animal-like 本能的 the primitive instinct of survival 求生本能 primitive desires 原始的欲望 —primitively adverb —primitiveness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
primitive• fossils of primitive algae• In those days, dental equipment was primitive and a visit to the dentist was a painful experience.• The cabin is primitive and lacks running water.• It was basic, primitive and very, very real.• It is a primitive but effective device for raising water from a well.• This was barter, the most primitive capitalism, and this was what we were fighting to protect.• a primitive design• But how did primitive life-forms first appear on Earth?• primitive machinery• She was threatened, and the primitive male instinct to protect what was his brought his entire body to battle-readiness within seconds.• primitive man• Mead's research focused on three primitive New Guinea tribes.• The discovery of this conodont-bearing animal suggests that at least some conodonts may be among the most primitive of vertebrates.• They are among the most primitive on bony fish, though their skeleton consists largely of cartilage.• The gingerbread house represents an existence based on the most primitive satisfactions.• We also stopped to hike on a primitive trail, up and over a short ridge to a small, isolated lake.primitive2 noun [countable] AVPan artist who paints simple pictures like those of a child 原始派画家Examples from the Corpus
primitive• Besides, you write in Yiddish, a language no one except a few primitives can understand.• Brown said he saw Adam and Eve in a remote-viewing session, but they were not naked primitives in a lush garden.• The primitive was often underscored by social Darwinism.• They are the unfortunate primitives or fools: we know much better than that!Origin primitive1 (1300-1400) Latin primitivus, from primus; → PRIME1prim·i·tive1 adjectiveprimitive2 nounChineseSyllable
simple that belonging a existed in of way life Corpus to
primitive
prim‧i‧tive1 /ˈprɪmətɪv, ˈprɪmɪtɪv/ 
adjective1. 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]
primitive2 noun [countable]
an artist who paints simple pictures like those of a child
| I |
adjective1. 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:
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:
3. ANIMALS/PLANTS a primitive animal or plant has a simple structure or body:
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:
—primitively adverb
—primitiveness noun [uncountable]
| II |
noun [countable]an artist who paints simple pictures like those of a child