primevality

alternative obsolete primævality · alternative primaevality

1. uncountableThe quality of being primeval.

   The Primevality of Revelation and Spiritual Gifts.

   1856, Alfred Barry, “The State of Man in Paradise, and the Fall”, in Introduction to the Study of the Old Testament, part the first, London: John W. Parker and Son, page 72

   5 more examples

   He had been, the greater part of his life, a Quaker; and, to the day of his death, he wore the Quaker costume in its most perfect primevality—his broad hat, half cock and half slouch; his drab coat, of an ample length and breadth of skirts; his drab waistcoat, with flaps of such liberal dimensions, that they afforded room for pockets as large as those in most men’s coats; his drab breeches, fastened at the knees with buckles; his neat gray worsted stockings; and capacious shoes, clasped with large steel buckles.

   1840 July, William Howitt, “Nooks of the World.—No. III. A Glimpse of Some of Our Local Religions.”, in Tait’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume VII, number LXXIX, Edinburgh: William Tait, […]; Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., London; and John Cumming, Dublin, page 431

   The observations and the assiduity required to make them are not out of measure with the known patience and primevality of the Egyptian priesthood.

   1853 October, “Intelligence”, in H. Burgess, editor, The Journal of Sacred Literature, volume V, number IX, London: Blackader and Co., Aldine Chambers, page 272

   I never was more disappointed than in the transition from the primevality of the far West to the more advanced state of society in the Peninsular State, and like all who have left Kansas, I anxiously look for the time of return, which will be early in the spring, if not sooner.

   1857 November 7, “Letter from a Friend in Michigan”, in The Kansas Herald of Freedom, volume 3, number 13, Lawrence, Kan.

   After all, there is nothing like nature, in her primevality.[…]There he found Nature—there was primevality indeed!

   1870 July 23, “The Watering Places. Punchinello’s Vacations.”, in Punchinello, volume I, number 17, New York, N.Y.: Punchinello Publishing Company, page 268

   The jokes had the true histrionic smack of primevality, and the several actors acquitted themselves quite dramatically.

   1885, Ariel, volume 9, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., page 123

   Synonyms: primevalness