Primary

Pri´ma`ry

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.

First in order, as being preparatory to something higher; as, primary assemblies; primary schools.

First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as, primary planets; a matter of primary importance.

(Geol.) Earliest formed; fundamental.

(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 .

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 an amine containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; - distinguished from secondary .

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
(Zool.) 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 a salt derived from a polybasic acid in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic radical.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.

That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter.

A primary meeting; a caucus.

(Zool.) One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing. See Plumage, and Illust. of Bird.

(Astron.) A primary planet; the brighter component of a double star. See under Planet.

Noun	1.	primary - a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen Synonyms: primary election
	2.	primary - one of the main flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of a bird's wing Synonyms: primary feather, primary quill
	3.	primary - coil forming the part of an electrical circuit such that changing current in it induces a current in a neighboring circuit; "current through the primary coil induces current in the secondary coil" Synonyms: primary coil, primary winding
Adj.	1.	primary - of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondhand; "primary goals"; "a primary effect"; "primary sources"; "a primary interest" Antonyms: secondary - of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate; "the stone will be hauled to a secondary crusher"; "a secondary source"; "a secondary issue"; "secondary streams"
	2.	primary - not derived from or reducible to something else; basic; "a primary instinct"
	3.	primary - 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" Synonyms: chief, main, principal
	4.	primary - of or being the essential or basic part; "an elementary need for love and nurturing" Synonyms: elementary
	5.	primary - of primary importance; "basic truths" Synonyms: basal, basic

PRIMARY. That which is first or principal; as primary evidence, or that evidence which is to be admitted in the first instance, as distinguished from secondary evidence, which is allowed only when primary evidence cannot be had.
2. A primary obligation is one which is the principal object of the contract; for example, the primary obligation of the seller is to deliver the thing sold, and to transfer the title to it. It is distinguished from the accessory or secondary obligation to pay damages for not doing so. 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 702.

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