primary
adj 1 a (1) : first in order of time or development (2) : relating to or being the deciduous teeth and esp. the 20 deciduous teeth in the human set b (1) : arising spontaneously : IDIOPATHIC < purpura> (2) : being an initial tumor or site esp. of cancer <efforts to find the tumor have failed -Raphael Feinmesser> 2 : not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes 3 : belonging to the first group or order in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications < nerves> 4 : of, relating to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins < protein structure> - compare SECONDARY3 TERTIARY2c 5 : resulting from the substitution of one of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule : esp : being or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only one other carbon atom , n, pl -ries : PRIMARY COLOR .
Similar sounding terms: prim·er
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