primordial

adjective

pri·​mor·​di·​al prī-ˈmȯr-dē-əl How to pronounce primordial (audio)
Synonyms of primordialnext
1
a
: first created or developed : primeval sense 1
b
: existing in or persisting from the beginning (as of a solar system or universe)
a primordial gas cloud
c
: earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ : primitive
primordial cells
2
: fundamental, primary
primordial human joys—Sir Winston Churchill
primordially
prī-ˈmȯr-dē-ə-lē How to pronounce primordial (audio)
adverb

Did you know?

The history of "primordial" began when the Latin words primus (meaning "first") and "ordiri" (meaning "to begin") came together to form "primordium," the Latin word for "origin." When it entered English in the 14th century, "primordial" was used in the general sense "primeval." Early on, there were hints that "primordial" would lend itself well to discussions of the earth's origins. Take, for instance, this passage from a 1398 translation of an encyclopedia called On the Properties of Things: "The virtu of God made primordial mater, in the whiche as it were in massy thinge the foure elementis were . . . nought distinguishd." Nowadays, primordial matter is often referred to in evolutionary theory as "primordial soup," a mixture of organic molecules from which life on earth originated.

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of primordial in a Sentence

all life on Earth supposedly came from a primordial ooze in existence many millions of years ago
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sculpture is a miracle, the museum guide will tell you, proof that this artist, born in the Sichuan region of China, who arrived in America in the late Nineties, is the third coming of the primordial Buddha. —Joseph Bien-Kahn, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024 For life to arise from Earth’s primordial ingredients, early cells needed some way to keep their contents from simply drifting away. —Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024 Pluto is geologically rich Despite its diminutive size, Pluto still has some primordial heat left to give. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 After all, there is something primordial about the simple act of hibernating; sitting wrapped up beside a roaring fire has the ability to instantly instil calm like nothing else. —Delilah Khomo, theweek, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for primordial 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin prīmōrdiālis, from Latin prīmōrdium (in plural prīmōrdia) "beginnings, origin, source, elementary stage" (from prīmus "first, earliest" + ōrd-, base of ōrdīrī "to lay a warp for weaving, embark on, begin" + -ium, deverbal suffix of function or state) + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at prime entry 1, order entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of primordial was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing primordial

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Dictionary Entries Near primordial

primogenitureship

primordial

primordial meristem

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Primordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primordial. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

primordial

adjective
pri·​mor·​di·​al prī-ˈmȯrd-ē-əl How to pronounce primordial (audio)
: first created or developed : primeval
primordially
-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce primordial (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

primordial

adjective
pri·​mor·​di·​al prī-ˈmȯrd-ē-əl How to pronounce primordial (audio)
: earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ : primitive
the primordial skeleton

More from Merriam-Webster on primordial

Nglish: Translation of primordial for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of primordial for Arabic Speakers

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