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primal

[ prahy-muhl ]
/ ˈpraɪ məl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR primal

adjective

first; original; primeval: primal eras before the appearance of life on earth.
of first importance; fundamental: the primal resources of a nation.

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Origin of primal

From the Medieval Latin word prīmālis, dating back to 1535–45. See prime, -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM primal

non·pri·mal, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH primal

primal , primeval, primordial

Words nearby primal

prima facie, prima facie case, prima facie evidence, primage, prima inter pares, primal, primal scene, primal scream, primal therapy, primaquine, primaries
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to primal

primordial, aboriginal, ancient, central, chief, earliest, early, first, fundamental, highest, old, original, paramount, past, prehistoric, primitive, principal, pristine

Example sentences from the Web for primal

British Dictionary definitions for primal

primal
/ (ˈpraɪməl) /

adjective

first or original
chief or most important

Word Origin for primal

C17: from Medieval Latin prīmālis, from Latin prīmus first
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

Medical definitions for primal

primal
[ prī′məl ]

adj.

Being first in time; original.
Of first or central importance; primary.

Other words from primal

pri•mal′i•ty (-măl′ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.