- 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; earliest2. from which others are derived; fundamental; elemental; basic3. 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 radicalb) 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 rocksb) Obs. designating or of the earliest geological periods, up through the Paleozoic Era10. Linguis. having as its fundamental form a base or other element that cannot be broken down: said of derivation11. 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 wingn.pl. primaries1. 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 ELECTION3. any of the primary colors4. Astron.a) a sun, planet, etc. in relation to its satellitesb) the brighter member of a binary star5. Elec. a primary coil6. Zool. a primary feather: see BIRD
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.