primary

primary
primary [prī′mer΄ē, prī′mə rē]
adj.
[ME prymary < L primarius < primus, first: see PRIME]
1. first in time or order of development; primitive; original; earliest
2. from which others are derived; fundamental; elemental; basic
3. designating colors regarded as basic, or as those from which all others may be derived: classification of colors as primary varies: see COLOR (n. 2 & 3)
4. of or in the first stage of a sequence; elementary [primary school]
5. first in importance; chief; principal; main [a primary concern]
6. firsthand; direct [a primary source of information]
7. Chem.
a) characterized by or resulting from the replacement of one atom or radical
b) characterized by groups or radicals that are attached to the end carbon atom of a chain, i.e., to a CH2 group (Ex.: primary alcohols, CH2OH; primary amines, CH2NH2)
8. Elec. designating or of an inducing current, input circuit, or input coil in a transformer, induction coil, etc.
9. Geol.
a) formed directly by sedimentation, solidification, or precipitation and not subsequently altered: said of rocks
b) Obs. designating or of the earliest geological periods, up through the Paleozoic Era
10. Linguis. having as its fundamental form a base or other element that cannot be broken down: said of derivation
11. Med. designating or having to do with the initial medical care given to a patient, before referral to another doctor, a specialist, etc.
12. Zool. designating or of the large, stiff feathers on the last section, or hand, of a bird's wing
n.
pl. primaries
1. something first in order, quality, importance, etc.
☆ 2. in the U.S.,
a) a local meeting of voters of a given political party to nominate candidates for public office, select delegates to a convention, etc.
b) DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION
3. any of the primary colors
4. Astron.
a) a sun, planet, etc. in relation to its satellites
b) the brighter member of a binary star
5. Elec. a primary coil
6. Zool. a primary feather: see BIRD

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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  • Primary — Pri ma*ry, a. [L. primarius, fr. primus first: cf. F. primaire. See {Prime}, a., and cf. {Premier}, {Primero}.] 1. First in order of time or development or in intention; primitive; fundamental; original. [1913 Webster] The church of Christ, in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • primary — pri·ma·ry 1 / prī ˌmer ē, mə rē/ adj 1: of first rank, value, or importance 2: belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications pri·mar·i·ly /prī mer ə lē/ adv primary 2 n pl …   Law dictionary

  • primary — primary, primal, primordial, primitive, pristine, primeval, prime mean first in some respect (as order, character, or importance). Something primary comes first in the order of development or of progression. Sometimes the term means little more… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Primary — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda «Primary» Sencillo de The Cure del álbum Faith Publicación 17 de marzo de 1981 (Reino Unido) Formato …   Wikipedia Español

  • primary — pri‧ma‧ry [ˈpraɪmri ǁ meri] adjective 1. main or most important: • Its primary business is developing and marketing new software. • The primary problem for the airlines is the recession. • It uses coal as its primary source of fuel. 2 …   Financial and business terms

  • Primary — Single par The Cure extrait de l’album Faith Face A Primary Face B Descent Sortie 17 mars 1981 Enregistrement …   Wikipédia en Français

  • primary — late 15c., of the first order, from L. primarius of the first rank, chief, principal, excellent, from primus first (see PRIME (Cf. prime) (adj.) ). Primary color is first recorded 1610s; primary school is 1802, from Fr. école primaire. The Paris… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Primary — Pri ma*ry, n.; pl. {Primaries}. 1. That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter. [1913 Webster] 2. A primary meeting; a caucus. [1913 Webster] 3. (Zo[ o]l.) One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird s wing.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • primary — / prime [adj1] best, principal capital, cardinal, chief, crackerjack*, dominant, excellent, fab*, first, first class*, greatest, heavy, highest, hot*, leading, main, number one*, paramount, primo*, state of the art*, stellar, top, top of the… …   New thesaurus

  • primary — primary/secondary qualities …   Philosophy dictionary

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