Primitive

A verb forming its tense-stems directly from a root is called a primitive verb. A denominative verb forms its tense-stems from a longer verb-stem, originally a noun-stem; as δουλόω enslave from δοῦλος slave. Verbs in μι (379), and verbs in ω of two syllables (in the present indicative active, as λέγ-ω speak) or of three syllables (in the middle, as δέχομαι receive) are generally primitive. Others are denominative.

According to the character of the suffix words are called:

a. Primitive (or Primary): formed by the addition of a suffix either to a root or to a verb-stem to which a vowel, usually ε, has been added (485, 486).

Root γραφ: γράφ-ω write, γραφ-ή writing, γραφ-εύ-ς writer, γράμ-μα something written, γραμ-μή line.

Verb-stem γεν-ε in γενέ-σθαι become (ἐγενόμην, γί-γν-ομαι): γένε-σι-ς genesis, origin; τερ-ε (τέρω bore): τέρε-τρο-ν gimlet, instrument for boring.

b. Denominative (or Secondary): formed from a noun-stem (substantive or adjective) or adverb.

γραμ-ματ-εύς writer (stem γραμματ-, nom. γράμμα); εὐδαιμον-ίᾱ happiness (stem εὐδαιμον-, nom. εὐδαίμων); δικαιο-σύνη justice, δίκα-ιο-ς just (δίκη right); φίλ-ιο-ς friendly (φίλο-ς dear); δουλό-ω enslave (δοῦλο-ς slave); παλαι-ό-ς ancient, of old date, from the adverb πάλαι long ago.