primary

Definition

First or earliest in a group or series.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin prīmārius (“of the first (rank); chief, principal; excellent”), from prīmus (first; whence the English adjective prime) + -ārius (whence the English suffix -ary); compare the French primaire, primer, and premier. Doublet of premier.

Example Sentences

• "Children attend primary school, and teenagers attend secondary school."
• "the church of Christ, in its primary institution"
• ", Book II, Chapter VIII These I call original, or primary, qualities of body."

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