prim·i·tive1 /ˈprɪmətɪv/ ●●○ adjectiveadj 1 way of life 生活方式SA belonging to a simple way of life that existed in the past and does not have modern industries and machines 原始的,远古的 OPP advanced, modern a primitive nomadic tribe 原始的游牧部落
the tools used by primitive man 原始人所用的工具
2 not modern 非现代的SIMPLE/NOT COMPLICATED something that is primitive is very simple and does not have the extra modern parts that would make it faster, better, more comfortable etc 老式的,简陋的 OPP advanced, modern The first station buildings were quite primitive. 最初的车站建筑很简陋。
The local hospital care is primitive and unreliable. 当地医院的治疗水平落后,靠不住。
Conditions at the camp are very primitive. 营地条件非常简陋。
a primitive steam engine 老式蒸汽发动机
3 animals/plants 动物/植物SA a primitive animal or plant has a simple structure or body 〔动物或植物〕原始的,低等的 primitive life-forms that live deep in the ocean 生活在大洋深处的低等生物
a primitive single-celled creature 原始的单细胞生物
4 feelings 情感 primitive feelings are not based on reason, and seem to come from a part of people’s character that is ancient and animal-like 本能的 the primitive instinct of survival 求生本能
—primitively adverbadv
—primitiveness noun [uncountableU]