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Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. serving as an essential component;
- Example: "a cardinal rule"
- Example: "the central cause of the problem"
- Example: "an example that was fundamental to the argument"
- Example: "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"
[syn: cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal]

2. having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state;
- Example: "aboriginal forests"
- Example: "primal eras before the appearance of life on earth"
- Example: "the forest primeval"
- Example: "primordial matter"
- Example: "primordial forms of life"
[syn: aboriginal, primal, primeval, primaeval, primordial]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Primal \Pri"mal\, a. [LL. primalis, fr. L. primus the first. See Prime, a.] First; primary; original; chief. [1913 Webster] It hath the primal eldest curse upon it. --Shak. [1913 Webster] The primal duties shine aloft like stars. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

primal adj 1: serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure" [syn: cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal] 2: having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state; "aboriginal forests"; "primal eras before the appearance of life on earth"; "the forest primeval"; "primordial matter"; "primordial forms of life" [syn: aboriginal, primal, primeval, primaeval, primordial]