Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Originally; at first.
  • Primarily; not derivatively.
  • According to the original rule or oldest practice; in the ancient or antique style.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb Originally; at first.
  • adverb Primarily; not derivatively.
  • adverb According to the original rule or ancient practice; in the ancient style.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a primitive manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb with reference to the origin or beginning
  • adverb in a primitive style or manner

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word primitively.

Examples

  • "primitively" accumulate, and more and more is included in the mass of what is directly managed by capital's disciplinary and modulatory procedures.

    Warren Ellis 2009

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

  • There is something primitively human in listening and watching as a story unfolds, and if you are lucky enough to be in the presence of someone who is truly talented in this regard, allow yourself to imaginatively engage and enjoy the experience.

    Bess Rowen: Once Upon a Storyteller Bess Rowen 2011

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

  • Ultimately, it also proves the primitively atavistic nature of human beings: that altruism is an unnatural societal construct and that self-interest is the natural impulse of the human animal.

    Marshall Fine: Movie Review: Inside Job Marshall Fine 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.