primitius

primitius [LL=as var. of CL primitivus] 1 first, foremost (in quality). he primitie ‥ unde ~ius, -a, -um, i. precipuus et inter alios primus Osb. Glouc. Deriv. 406. 2 of or belonging to earlier times, early, original, ancient. 799 hanc [vitam monachorum] primitiva [v. l. ~ia] per apostolos in Judaea initiavit aecclesia Alcuin Ep. 168 p. 276. 3 who is in the initial stages, (in quot. as sb.) beginner. ut non incongrua videatur ~iorum [v. l. ~iarum] vagibunda ambulandi difficultas Adel. QN 38. 4 that is in its prime. Ricardus secundus filius magnanimo parenti spem laudis alebat, ~ii tamen floris indolem mors acerba cito depasta corrupit Eul. Hist. III 41.