These words are used to refer to things that are in the initial or early stage of existence or to things that are unformed, undeveloped or elementary in character. Beginning , the most general of the five, can mean either first or early. The beginning chapter of a book is its first chapter; the beginning section of the same book would embrace the first chapter but would also include several of the other early chapters. In another sense, beginning describes something that deals with elementary principles, skills or routines: The beginning course in physics will not be offered this term.

Incipient shares with beginning the meaning of just coming into existence: The incipient stage of a urinary infection is often marked by high fever. Inchoate , like beginning and incipient , can describe a condition or activity that has just recently come into existence or operation. It more often suggests the absence of order, form or coherence: an inchoate plan, badly organized and full of contradictions. One of the general meanings of inchoate , that referring to a lack of completion or perfection, is part of the specialized terminology of the legal profession. An inchoate contract is one that has not been executed by all the parties involved.

Rudimentary , which means fundamental or elementary, is often used to express a limitation: He had only a rudimentary knowledge of chemistry. It also can characterize something as primitive, undeveloped or imperfectly developed.

• Their dwelling place was rudimentary in nature, rather more like a hut than a house; A pair of rudimentary hind legs are part of the skeleton of the boa constrictor.

Primeval refers to the earliest ages of the world, particularly to that time before the appearance of man on earth: the primeval forests of Europe. It is applied by extension to tings that are very old and have existed since time immemorial: primeval rocks.

ANYONYMS: closing, developed, ending, late, mature.