primordial

American  

[prahy-mawr-dee-uhl] / praɪˈmɔr di əl /

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.

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primordial British  

/ 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

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noun

1. an elementary or basic principle

Other Word Forms

• primordiality noun
• primordially adverb

Etymology

Origin of primordial

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

Example Sentences

Columbus, he says, was America’s “Adam,” its primordial icon.

From The Wall Street Journal

One key conclusion of the research is that mining undifferentiated asteroids -- the primordial remnants of the solar system's formation considered the progenitor bodies of chondritic meteorites -- remains impractical for now.

From Science Daily

Frank invented an architecture born of his signature; he dreamed primordial designs that he translated technically.

From Los Angeles Times

One day, whether through happenstance, the hands on the clock, the phases of the moon, or some secret primordial plan, the moment comes when it is finally ready to sprout.

From Literature

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• prehistoric
• primal
• primeval
• primitive
• pristine