Pri″ma‐ry (?), a. [L. primarius, fr. primus first: cf. F. primaire. See Prime, a., and cf. Premier, Primero.] 1. 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.
2. First in order, as being preparatory to something higher; as, primary assemblies; primary schools.
3. First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as, primary planets; a matter of primary importance.
4. (Geol.) Earliest formed; fundamental.
5. (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 andtertiary alcohols. — 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amine(Chem.), an amine containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; — distinguished from secondary andtertiary amines. — 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(Zoöl.), 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 — Primary salt(Chem.), a salt derived from a polybasic acid in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic radical.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.