5. (Chem.) Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by, some quality
or property in the first degree; having undergone the first stage of
substitution or replacement.
Primary alcohol (Organic Chem.), any alcohol which possess the group
CH2.OH, and can be oxidized so as to form a corresponding aldehyde and
acid having the same number of carbon atoms; -- distinguished from
secondary ∧ tertiary alcohols. -- Primary amine (Chem.), an amine
containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only
one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; --
distinguished from secondary ∧ tertiary amines. -- Primary
amputation (Surg.), an amputation for injury performed as soon as the
shock due to the injury has passed away, and before symptoms of
inflammation supervene. -- Primary axis (Bot.), the main stalk which
bears a whole cluster of flowers. -- Primary colors. See under Color.
-- Primary meeting, a meeting of citizens at which the first steps are
taken towards the nomination of candidates, etc. See Caucus. -- Primary
pinna (Bot.), one of those portions of a compound leaf or frond which
branch off directly from the main rhachis or stem, whether simple or
compounded. -- Primary planets. (Astron.) See the Note under Planet. --
Primary qualities of bodies, such are essential to and inseparable from
them. -- Primary quills (Zoˆl.), the largest feathers of the wing of a
bird; primaries. -- Primary rocks (Geol.), a term early used for rocks
supposed to have been first formed, being crystalline and containing no
organic remains, as granite, gneiss, etc.; -- called also primitive
rocks. The terms Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary rocks have also
been used in like manner, but of these the last two only are now in
use. -- Primary salt (Chem.), a salt derived from a polybasic acid in
which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic
radical. -- Primary syphilis (Med.), the initial stage of syphilis,
including the period from the development of the original lesion or
chancre to the first manifestation of symptoms indicative of general
constitutional infection. -- Primary union (Surg.), union without
suppuration; union by the first intention.
Pri"ma*ry, n.; pl. Primaries (&?;). 1. That which stands first in
order, rank, or importance; a chief matter.