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What is the difference, if any, between "primordial" and "primeval"?

Question #88412. Asked by Rowena8482.
Last updated Aug 23 2016.

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ferfer72 star
Answer has 4 votes
ferfer72 star
21 year member
139 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.
Things that are "primordial" existed as the Earth was forming. Things that are "primeval" were around in the early ages after the Earth was formed.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primeval

Nov 12 2007, 11:49 AM
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zbeckabee star
Answer has 11 votes
Currently Best Answer
zbeckabee star
Moderator
18 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 11 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
"Primordial" has a broader application and refers more to sequence. "Primeval" speaks to a time period.

PRIMORDIAL -- adjective -- Being or happening first in sequence of time; original. Primary or fundamental: play a primordial role. Biology Belonging to or characteristic of the earliest stage of development of an organism or a part: primordial cells.

PRIMEVAL -- adjective -- Belonging to the first or earliest age or ages; original or ancient: a primeval forest.

link http://www.dictionary.com/browse/primordial?s=t
link http://www.dictionary.com/browse/primeval?s=t

Response last updated by LadyNym on Aug 23 2016.
Nov 12 2007, 11:54 AM
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