primeval

[prahy-mee-vuh l] /praɪˈmi vəl/

adjective

of or pertaining to the first age or ages, especially of the world:

primeval forms of life.

Origin

1765-75; < Latin prīmaev(us) young (prīm(us) prime + aev(um) age + -us adj. suffix) + -al¹

Related forms

primevally, adverb

Can be confused

Synonyms

primary, primordial, pristine. See prime.

Examples from the web for primeval

In addition to expanding the known limits of snake biology, the ancient serpent contains clues to primeval rain forest climate.
The poet skillfully mixes the concrete metaphors of the primeval theme with metaphysical imagery.
In the rather more primeval bubbling of a moka, things aren't so precise.
They will fill out an empty bed with primeval-looking foliage.
The mats he's talking about are one of the signs of primeval Earth.
It's a primeval landscape, raw and unspoiled and faintly threatening.
One of them is the last fragment of primeval forest in Europe.
It's like waking up from some primeval nightmare.
Take for example the tomb of the primeval kings.
They might incline at first to refer the construction of such stupendous works to some superhuman powers of the primeval world.

British Dictionary definitions for primeval

/praɪˈmiːvəl/

adjective

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

Derived Forms

primevally, primaevally, adverb

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for primeval

adj.

also primaeval, 1650s, with -al (1) + Latin primaevus "early in life, youthful," from primus "first" (see prime (adj.)) + aevum "an age" (see eon).