Primeval

/praɪˈmiːvəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Relating to the earliest ages in the history of the world.

The primeval forests are a remnant of a time long before human civilization.

Primitive; ancient; or original.

The cave paintings gave us a glimpse into the primeval creativity of early humans.

Basic or fundamental; relating to the origins of something.

The primeval instincts of survival can still be observed in modern behavior.

Characterized by a sense of primordial energy or rawness.

The primeval landscape was both beautiful and terrifying, untouched by modern development.

From Latin 'primaevalis', from 'primo' meaning 'first' + 'aevum' meaning 'age' or 'era'.

primeval man:

A reference to early humans or hominids existing in prehistoric times.

primeval forest:

A forest that has never been cut down or disturbed by human activity.

Very old-fashioned or out of date.

He thinks that using a paper map is primeval.