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primitivism

[ prim-i-ti-viz-uhm ]

noun

  1. a recurrent theory or belief, as in philosophy or art, that the qualities of primitive or chronologically early cultures are superior to those of contemporary civilization.
  2. the state of being primitive:

    the primitivism of the Stone Age peoples.

  3. the qualities or style characterizing primitive art.


primitivism

/ ˈprɪmɪtɪˌvɪzəm /

noun

  1. the condition of being primitive
  2. the notion that the value of primitive cultures is superior to that of the modern world
  3. the principles, characteristics, etc, of primitive art and artists
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


primitivism

  1. A style of art that attempts to imitate the art of primitive cultures or of children.


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Derived Forms

  • ˈprimitivist, nounadjective
  • ˌprimitivˈistic, adjective
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Other Words From

  • primi·tiv·ist noun
  • primi·tiv·istic adjective
  • unprim·i·tiv·istic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of primitivism1

First recorded in 1860–65; primitive + -ism
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Example Sentences

He devotes an entire chapter to the co-existence of “primitivism and technology.”

In English letters Wordsworth in his earlier verse illustrated the same sentimental primitivism.

Yours is the faineant spirit of the decadent, masquerading in the garb of a sham primitivism.

In an age when a fog of dreary sameness comes over all the civilised world, the Balkans have a great asset in their primitivism.

And this theory is the excuse for all the attempts at primitivism of which we have lately seen so much.

All the time we are struggling between the rankest primitivism and the most delicate intrigue.

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primitive polynomialPrimitivo