primeval

or pri·mae·val

[ prahy-mee-vuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the first age or ages, especially of the world:

   primeval forms of life.

   Synonyms: pristine, primordial, primary

primeval

/ praɪˈmiːvəl /

adjective

1. of or belonging to the first age or ages, esp of the world

Derived Forms

• priˈmevally, adverb

Other Words From

• pri·meval·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of primeval¹

First recorded in 1765–75; from Latin prīmaev(us) “young” ( prīm(us) prime + aev(um) age + -us adjective suffix) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of primeval¹

C17: from Latin prīmaevus youthful, from prīmus first + aevum age

Synonym Study

See prime.

Example Sentences

Both are made of the same primeval matter, and both are the same age and size.

From New York Times

This month, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is opening an exhibit that will use scents and sounds mimicking an ancient forest to recreate a primeval paradise.

From New York Times

For example, how much primeval forest has been cleared for an agricultural product or how the land was previously used.

From Science Daily

This small companion galaxy is more primeval than the Milky Way in that it possesses fewer heavy elements, which are forged in stars through nuclear fusion and supernova explosions, compared to our own galaxy.

From Science Daily

Such modern intermediates might have been the end product for primeval eukaryotes.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• prehistoric
• primal
• primitive
• primordial
• pristine