primordial

adjective

pri·​mor·​di·​al prī-ˈmȯr-dē-əl 

1

a

: first created or developed : primeval sense 1

b

: existing in or persisting from the beginning (as of a solar system or universe)

a primordial gas cloud

c

: earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ : primitive

primordial cells

2

: fundamental, primary

primordial human joys

—Sir Winston Churchill

primordially

prī-ˈmȯr-dē-ə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The history of "primordial" began when the Latin words primus (meaning "first") and "ordiri" (meaning "to begin") came together to form "primordium," the Latin word for "origin." When it entered English in the 14th century, "primordial" was used in the general sense "primeval." Early on, there were hints that "primordial" would lend itself well to discussions of the earth's origins. Take, for instance, this passage from a 1398 translation of an encyclopedia called On the Properties of Things: "The virtu of God made primordial mater, in the whiche as it were in massy thinge the foure elementis were . . . nought distinguishd." Nowadays, primordial matter is often referred to in evolutionary theory as "primordial soup," a mixture of organic molecules from which life on earth originated.

Synonyms

• ancient
• early
• primal
• primeval
• primitive

Examples of primordial in a Sentence

all life on Earth supposedly came from a primordial ooze in existence many millions of years ago

Recent Examples on the Web

Clips of kids like Ryan Kaji (see page 58) unwrapping toys seemed to exploit a primordial glitch in toddlers’ developing brains. —Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Aug. 2024

Previous microwave observations have detected E-modes in the primordial microwaves, generated by the variations in the universe’s density. —Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 3 June 2024

Earlier studies stated that people assigned females were born with 2,000,000 primordial follicles.7 More recent research estimates the number is closer to 100,000 to 600,000 follicles.89 Ovarian Follicles and Fertility The function of the ovarian follicles significantly affects fertility. —Andrea L. Braden, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024

Older female mice who were given a diet containing rapamycin had an increase in their pool of primordial follicles – the ovarian reserve. —Stephane Berneau, CNN, 31 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin prīmōrdiālis, from Latin prīmōrdium (in plural prīmōrdia) "beginnings, origin, source, elementary stage" (from prīmus "first, earliest" + ōrd-, base of ōrdīrī "to lay a warp for weaving, embark on, begin" + -ium, deverbal suffix of function or state) + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at prime entry 2, order entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing primordial

• primordial soup

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Kids Definition

primordial

adjective

pri·​mor·​di·​al prī-ˈmȯrd-ē-əl 

: first created or developed : primeval

primordially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

primordial

adjective

pri·​mor·​di·​al prī-ˈmȯrd-ē-əl 

: earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ : primitive

the primordial skeleton