Primordial, a.
Etymology: [L. primordialis, from primordium the first beginning; primus first + ordiri to begin a web, to begin: cf. F. primordial.]
1. First in order; primary; original; of earliest origin; as, primordial condition. "The primordial facts of our intelligent nature." Sir W. Hamilton.
2. (Geol.)
Of or pertaining to the lowest beds of the Silurian age, corresponding to the Acadian and Potsdam periods in American geology. It is called also Cambrian, and by many geologists is separated from the Silurian.
3. (Biol.)
1 more senses
Originally or earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ; as, a primordial leaf; a primordial cell. Primordial utricle (Bot.), the interior lining of a young vegetable cell.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Primordial, n.
A first principle or element.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for primordial; he lists it under primeval, transcendental.
Where he writes about it:
Primordial is first in an order of succession or development; as, a primordial leaf. — from primeval