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primary |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. The church of Christ, in its primary institution. --Bp. Pearson. These I call original, or primary, qualities of body. --Locke. 2. First in order as being preparatory to something higher; as primary assemblies; primary schools. 3. First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as primary planets; a matter of primary importance. 4. (Geol.) Earliest formed; fundamental. 5. (Chem.) Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by some quality or property in the first degree; having undergone the first stage of substitution or replacement. {Primary alcohol} (Organic Chem.), any alcohol which possess the group {CH2.OH}, and can be oxidized so as to form a corresponding aldehyde and acid having the same number of carbon atoms; -- distinguished from {secondary & tertiary alcohols}. {Primary amine} (Chem.), an amine containing the amido group or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; -- distinguished from {secondary & tertiary amines}. {Primary amputation} (Surg.), an amputation for injury performed as soon as the shock due to the injury has passed away and before symptoms of inflammation supervene. {Primary axis} (Bot.), the main stalk which bears a whole cluster of flowers. {Primary colors}. See under {Color}. {Primary meeting}, a meeting of citizens at which the first steps are taken towards the nomination of candidates, etc See {Caucus}. {Primary pinna} (Bot.), one of those portions of a compound leaf or frond which branch off directly from the main rhachis or stem, whether simple or compounded. {Primary planets}. (Astron.) See the Note under {Planet}. {Primary qualities of bodies}, such are essential to and inseparable from them {Primary quills} (Zo["o]l.), the largest feathers of the wing of a bird; primaries. {Primary rocks} (Geol.), a term early used for rocks supposed to have been first formed, being crystalline and containing no organic remains, as granite, gneiss, etc.; -- called also {primitive rocks}. The terms Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary rocks have also been used in like manner, but of these the last two only are now in use {Primary salt} (Chem.), a salt derived from a polybasic acid in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic radical. {Primary syphilis} (Med.), the initial stage of syphilis, including the period from the development of the original lesion or chancre to the first manifestation of symptoms indicative of general constitutional infection. {Primary union} (Surg.), union without suppuration; union by the first intention. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Primary \Pri"ma*ry\, n.; pl {Primaries}. 1. That which stands first in order rank, or importance; a chief matter. 2. A primary meeting; a caucus. 3. (Zo["o]l.) One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing. See {Plumage}, and Illust. of {Bird}. 4. (Astron.) A primary planet; the brighter component of a double star. See under {Planet}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: primary adj 1: of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondhand; "primary goals"; "a primary effect"; "primary sources"; "a primary interest" [ant: {secondary}] 2: not derived from or reducible to something else; basic; "a primary instinct"; "seeks excellence at its primitive source--nature"- John Dewey [syn: {primitive}] 3: most important element; "the chief aim of living"; "the main doors were of solid glass"; "the principal rivers of America"; "the principal example"; "policemen were primary targets" [syn: {chief(a)}, {main(a)}, {primary(a)}, {principal(a)}] 4: of elementary education; "a basal reader"; "children in the beginning reading classes"; "the primary grades" [syn: {abecedarian}, {basal}, {basic}, {beginning(a)}] 5: of or being the essential or basic part "an elementary need for love and nurturing" [syn: {elementary}] 6: of primary importance; "basic truths" [syn: {basal}, {basic}] n 1: a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen [syn: {primary election}] 2: one of the main flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of a bird's wing [syn: {primary feather}, {primary quill}] 3: current through primary coil induces current in secondary coil [syn: {primary coil}, {primary winding}]
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