DictionaryRoot: pristinus
Latin

pristinus

former, early, original

1 / 1
An untouched patch of fresh snow surrounds a small evergreen sapling: smooth, immaculate snow with no tracks, debris, or disturbed areas conveys a fresh, unspoiled state.
adjective

pristine

PRIS-teen/ˈprɪstiːn/

In a perfectly clean or unspoiled condition.

Etymology

Latin pristinus meant “original” or “early,” rather than “clean.” Expressions such as “pristine wilderness” helped shift the meaning from an original condition to one untouched or unspoiled.

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