I.the first things of their kind, firstlings.
I. Lit., first-fruits: “primitias Cereri farra resecta dabant,” Ov. F. 2, 520; id. M. 8, 274; Plin. 18, 2, 2, § 8: “pomiferi Laribus consuevimus horti Mittere primitias,” Calp. Ecl. 2, 64; Vulg. Exod. 22, 29.—
B. Transf., of other things: “primitiae metallorum,” the first produce of the mine, Tac. H. 4, 53: “vitis,” the first shoots, Col. 4, 10, 2: “plantae,” id. 10, 147.—
II. Trop.: “primitiae juvenis miserae,” his first unhappy essays, Verg. A. 11, 156: “tori,” the first nuptial joys, Sil. 3, 111: “armorum,” the first-fruits of war, Stat. Th. 11, 285: “lacrimarum,” id. ib. 6, 146: “primitiae et quasi libamenta ingenuarum artium, Gell. praef.: spectaculi,” App. M. 10, p. 253, 12: “commeatus,” the beginning of navigation, id. ib. 11, p. 765 Oud.: “dormientium,” the first to rise from the dead, Vulg. 1 Cor. 15, 20; 15, 23.
