the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adj. Belonging to the first ages; pristine; original; primitive; primary.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
Of or belonging to the first ages; original; primal; primitive.
Synonyms Primitive, etc. See primary.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adj. having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
Word Usage
"Herbert urged that he must at least admit that there was a freshness of legend and poetry in what we call the primeval peoples that is wanting now; the mythic period is gone, at any rate."