primaeval

[ prahy-mee-vuh l ]

/ praɪˈmi vəl /

adjective

Nearby words

prima facie case, prima facie evidence, prima inter pares, prima-facie evidence, primacy, primaeval, primage, primal, primal scene, primal scream, primal therapy

Definition for primaeval (2 of 2)

primeval

or pri·mae·val

[ prahy-mee-vuhl ]

/ praɪˈmi vəl /

adjective

of or relating to the first age or ages, especially of the world: primeval forms of life.

Origin of primeval

1765–75; < Latin prīmaev(us) young (prīm(us) prime + aev(um) age + -us adj. suffix) + -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR primeval

primary, primordial, pristine. See prime.

Related formspri·me·val·ly, adverb

Can be confusedprimal primeval primordial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for primaeval

This poem deals with the overthrow of the primaeval order of Gods by Jupiter, son of Saturn the old king.
Keats: Poems Published in 1820|John Keats
Another theory appears to have existed according to which the gods were contemporaneous with primaeval chaos.
The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria|Morris Jastrow
The Hniflung hoard is also supposed to have consisted of the treasures of one band of primaeval artists, the Iwaldings.
The Danish History, Books I-IX|Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned")
He had begun a series of paintings on the theme of primaeval man.
And Even Now|Max Beerbohm

But I can help them to an explanation of what became of these primaeval men-of-arms.
Gryll Grange|Thomas Love Peacock

British Dictionary definitions for primaeval (1 of 2)

primaeval

/ (praɪˈmiːvəl) /

adjective

a variant spelling of primeval

British Dictionary definitions for primaeval (2 of 2)

primeval

primaeval

/ (praɪˈmiːvəl) /

adjective

of or belonging to the first age or ages, esp of the world

Derived Formsprimevally or primaevally, adverb

Word Origin for primeval

C17: from Latin prīmaevus youthful, from prīmus first + aevum age

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for primaeval

primeval

adj.

also primaeval, 1650s, with -al (1) + Latin primaevus "early in life, youthful," from primus "first" (see prime (adj.)) + aevum "an age" (see eon).