primordial

views updated Jun 11 2018

pri·mor·di·al / prīˈmôrdēəl/ • adj. existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval: the primordial oceans. ∎  (esp. of a state or quality) basic and fundamental: the primordial needs of the masses. ∎  Biol. (of a cell, part, or tissue) in the earliest stage of development.DERIVATIVES: pri·mor·di·al·i·ty / ˌprīˌmôrdēˈalətē/ n.pri·mor·di·al·ly adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

primordial

views updated May 29 2018

primordial XIV. — late L. prīmōrdiālis, f. prīmōrdium, sb. use of n. of prīmōrdius original, f. prīmus first, PRIME2 + base of ōrdīrī begin; see -IAL.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

primordial

views updated May 08 2018

primordial The period of time at, or just before, the final formation of the Earth.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

primordial

views updated May 17 2018

primordial (pry-mor-di-ăl) adj. (in embryology) describing cells or tissues that are formed in the early stages of embryonic development.

A Dictionary of Nursing

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