Primitive was a term used to describe someone or something that was "less evolved".
Specifically, those from a culture without a developed a civilization, or in some cases attained a certain level of technology, were known as a primitive culture, primitive people, primitive race, primitive society, primitive species, or simply primitives.
Likewise, a species at a certain (lower) level of physiological development can be seen as a primitive lifeform, and were considered to be a lower lifeform. Similarly, a primitive planet was one that had not yet developed sentient life or contained primitive individuals.
According to Tuvok, fear was considered to be "the most primitive, the most primordial of biological responses." (VOY: "The Thaw")
According to Soren, J'naii society found the idea of gender to be primitive and offensive after they evolved beyond having two sexes into "a higher form". (TNG: "The Outcast")
To the Borg, Species 262 was considered primitive – as they still maintained an oral history – but still, maintained knowledge of the Omega molecule, which they knew as "a powerful substance which could burn the sky." Similarly, another primitive species, Species 263, were also familiar with the molecule, which they believed was "a drop of blood from their Creator." (VOY: "The Omega Directive") The Borg also considered the android Data to be a "primitive artificial organism." (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II")
Admiral James T. Kirk deemed Humans of 20th century Earth to be "an extremely primitive and paranoid culture." (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Following the first contact with the Valakians and Menk, Doctor Phlox found that their ability to co-exist peacefully fascinating, as "[t]he Valakians are highly evolved, technologically advanced, while the Menk are relatively primitive by comparison." (ENT: "Dear Doctor")
Prior to the arrival of John Gill on Ekos, the Ekosians were considered to be "a primitive, warlike people in a state of anarchy." (TOS: "Patterns of Force")
Spock observed that the development of Delta Theta III aborigines, as of 2269, appeared to be "in a late primitive state". He noted them to be "[o]bviously intelligent, [as] they seem to have a basic language and social structure. He added, "I would assume [they have] fairly well developed mores and traditions as well." (TAS: "Bem")
Montgomery Scott considered the dilithium sequencer used aboard Klingon Birds-of-Prey to less advanced that those used aboard Federation starships. Following the capture of the HMS Bounty in 2285, he converted that ship's dilithium sequencer into "something a little less primitive". (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Around 2325, the Son'a conquered the Tarlac and the Ellora, two "primitive races" that were then integrated into the Son'a culture as a labor class. (Star Trek: Insurrection)
The Qomar wished not to be examinated by The Doctor because, when they agreed to be examined by USS Voyager's medical officer, they didn't know that he was "a primitive computer matrix." The Doctor assured him that there was "nothing primitive" about him, and that he was "programmed to perform more than five million medical procedures." (VOY: "Virtuoso")
See also[]
- Neo-primitive period