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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

of/for

hey guys...

just wanted to know something primitive...

is it: "the definition OF...." or "the definition FOR..."

for example: The definition of/for the word <tree> is: A perennial woody plant having a main trunk and usually a distinct crown. - Wikipedia

Thanks
  

Top answer

something primitive ??? You mean something elementary or something rudimentary , maybe? It's definition of in general.

— CalifJim

  • something primitive ???
  • You mean something elementary or something rudimentary , maybe?
  • It's definition of in general.
  • Nevertheless, in some contexts (typically indefinite) you may find definition for .
  • What's the definition of epitope ?
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13 Answers
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something primitive???

You mean something elementary or something rudimentary, maybe?

It's definition of in general. Nevertheless, in some contexts (typically indefinite) you may find definition for.

What's the definition of epitope?
I [need / am looking for] a definition [for / of] epitope.
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An epitope is the part of a macromolecule that is recognized by the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system, specifically by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody,
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Yes. primitive was the wrong word. The cavemen lived in primitive conditions.

basic might be the best choice there.

(And I didn't really want you to provide the definition of epitope. It was just a word to use in the example sentences!)
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Hello,

Does the same rule apply for the word "synonym"?

"Abstruse" is the closest synonym of "recondite". vs. I'm trying to a find a good synonym for "primitive."?
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In general, yes, the same rule -- if you can even call it a rule -- applies.
However, in this case, I'm inclined to use "for" in just about all cases.

CJ
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WinpojHello,

Does the same rule apply for the word "synonym"?

"Abstruse" is the closest synonym of "recondite". vs. I'm trying to a find a good synonym for "primitive."?

simple or unsophisticated
recondite, mind boggling.
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CalifJim - i beg to differ with you based on the definitions extracted from Wikipedia....
  1. Not derived from something else; primary or basic.
    1. Of or relating to an earliest or original stage or state; primeval.
    2. Being little evolved from an early ancestral type.
  3. Characterized by simplicity or crudity; unsophisticated: primitive weapons.
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Yes it mans something similar to basic but only in some contexts. That whole definition reads 'not derived from something else; primary or basic'. you can't just pick out one word of the definition and ignore the main part 'not derived from something else'. Perhaps 'original' explains this better than 'basic'.

Honestly, you can't 'ask a primitive question'.
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Cool thanks - actually makes sence .

Basically a question can't be primitive because it isn't something that has really evolved - perhaps?

But you can refer to an object as primitve - say a human or car etc...

But can a metod or process be primitve?

Say, for example: Installation methods used by that company are rather primitive.

Based on what i've sai
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Yes that makes sense, but if you call a human 'primitive' you are likely to get thumped! It would be very insulting.
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