In the investigation both of the orthography and signification of words, their ETYMOLOGY was necessarily to be considered, and they were therefore to be divided into primitives and derivatives. A primitive word, is that which can be traced no further to any English root; thus circumspect, circumvent, circumstance, delude, concave and complicate, though compounds in the Latin, are to us primitives. –Preface to A Dictionary of the English Language, Samuel Johnson What is the connotation of the word primitives as it is used in the passage? Based on the word’s connotation, what is the meaning of primitives as it is used in the passage?

Considering the content of the passage and based on the word’s connotation, the meaning of primitives as it is used in the passage is Neutral.

What is Neutral?

Neutral is anything that is not attached to any sources or side. It is on its own and can only be defined based on its characteristics.

Given that Primitive was used in the passage as words that can be traced no further to any English root thus, the connotative meaning is the "Neutral."

Hence, in this case, it is concluded that the correct answer is "Neutral."

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