With sense ‘that is the source or origin of others, or (occasionally) that fulfils a protective or nurturing role’, as mother colony, mother-lodge, m…

Belonging to the beginning or earliest stage of something; existing at or from the first; earliest, first in time.

Relating to or forming the root, basis, or foundation of something; original, primary.

Original; not developed or derived from anything else; archetypal; essential, fundamental. In early use also (Medicine): †arising from an external…

Primary, original; from which others are derived.

That constitutes the origin or starting point from which something else is derived or developed, or on which something else depends; fundamental…

First in order of existence or development; primary, original, fundamental; from which another thing may derive or proceed.

Of the highest rank or importance; principal, chief.

In extended use (chiefly literary). Of an object, event, circumstance, etc.: being or forming the source or origin of a thing or person. Obsolete.

Primary, original.

= primordial, adj. (in various senses).

First, primary. Cf. primer, adj. 1.

Philosophy. Of matter: constituting the material cause of a thing (see cause, n. 5); (also) basic, primary, fundamental, ultimate. Now chiefly histo…

Native; original.

That is the origin or source of something; that gives rise to, or causes the existence of, something. Cf. original, adj. 1a.

Of the nature of a parent, esp. in being the source or origin of something.

That has a beginning; originated, initiated; (also) of, relating, to, or constituting an origin or beginning. Obsolete.

That is the source or origin of other things; original, primary.

(un-, prefix1 affix 1 + derivative, adj. 2.)

Not derived or drawn from a source; primary, original.

Of the nature of a fountain or source. literal and figurative.

Of or belonging to the first source, original; coming direct from the first source and not through an intermediate channel or agency.

Of a language: original; from which others are derived.

Based on or coming directly from the primary source or origin; = first hand, adj. 1.

Having the original form or structure; fundamental; primitive, undeveloped.