primary
adj 1: of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate
rather than secondhand; "primary goals"; "a primary
effect"; "primary sources"; "a primary interest" [ant:
{secondary}]
2: not derived from or reducible to something else; basic; "a
primary instinct"; "seeks excellence at its primitive
source--nature"- John Dewey [syn: {primitive}]
3: 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" [syn: {chief(a)}, {main(a)}, {primary(a)}, {principal(a)}]
4: of elementary education; "a basal reader"; "children in the
beginning reading classes"; "the primary grades" [syn: {abecedarian},
{basal}, {basic}, {beginning(a)}]
5: of or being the essential or basic part; "an elementary need
for love and nurturing" [syn: {elementary}]
6: of primary importance; "basic truths" [syn: {basal}, {basic}]
n 1: a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are
chosen [syn: {primary election}]
2: one of the main flight feathers projecting along the outer
edge of a bird's wing [syn: {primary feather}, {primary
quill}]
3: current through primary coil induces current in secondary
coil [syn: {primary coil}, {primary winding}]