primordial

[prahy-mawr-dee-uhl]

adjective

1. constituting a beginning; giving origin to something derived or developed; original; elementary.

   primordial forms of life.

2. Embryology.,  first formed.

3. pertaining to or existing at or from the very beginning.

   primordial matter.

primordial

/ praɪˈmɔːdɪəl /

adjective

1. existing at or from the beginning; earliest; primeval

2. constituting an origin; fundamental

3. biology of or relating to an early stage of development

   primordial germ cells

noun

1. an elementary or basic principle

Other Word Forms

• primordiality noun
• primordially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of primordial¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin prīmōrdiālis of the beginning. See primordium, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of primordial¹

C14: from Late Latin prīmōrdiālis original, from Latin prīmus first + ōrdīrī to begin

Example Sentences

The evergreen perennial’s triangular leaves are tipped with spirals, a primordial motif suggesting life’s eternal cycles.

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In “Alien: Earth,” humanity is trapped between two existential threats — the primordial forces represented by the franchise’s Xenomorphs, and the still unknown AI of the future.

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Its stars may be a refreshing, new sight among a whole lot of primordial fare, but by casting for charm, “Jurassic World Rebirth” unintentionally questions just how much appeal this franchise has left.

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The figure resembles a yakshi - a powerful primordial nature spirit that can bestow both "abundance and fertility, as well as death and disease" - recognisable through her floral headdress, jewellery and full figure.

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Bathers are an artistic signal for life crawling onto shore out of the primordial ooze or basking in a pastoral, prelapsarian paradise.

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Related Words

• prehistoric 
• primal 
• primeval 
• primitive 
• pristine