Definition of Primer

1. Noun. An introductory textbook.

Generic synonyms: School Text, Schoolbook, Text, Text Edition, Textbook
Specialized synonyms: Speller, Hornbook

2. Noun. Any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant.
Exact synonyms: Fuse, Fusee, Fuze, Fuzee, Priming
Specialized synonyms: Detonating Fuse, Safety Fuse, Time-fuse
Generic synonyms: Igniter, Ignitor, Light, Lighter
Derivative terms: Fuse, Prime

3. Noun. The first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface.
Exact synonyms: Flat Coat, Ground, Primer Coat, Priming, Priming Coat, Undercoat
Generic synonyms: Coat Of Paint
Specialized synonyms: Couch
Derivative terms: Ground, Prime, Undercoat

Definition of Primer

1. n. One who, or that which, primes

2. a. First; original; primary.

3. n. Originally, a small prayer book for church service, containing the little office of the Virgin Mary; also, a work of elementary religious instruction.

Definition of Primer

1. Noun. An elementary textbook introducing a topic, or teaching basic concepts. ¹

2. Noun. An elementary book for teaching children to learn the alphabet and to read, write and spell. ¹

3. Noun. (biology) A single-stranded nucleic acid molecule required for the initiation of replication of a DNA molecule. ¹

4. Noun. Any substance used to start a fire. ¹

5. Noun. A small charge that burns furiously when given sufficient electrical current (Explosive primer) or when struck with force (percussion caps) that ignites the main combustable substances in explosives or ammunition. ¹

6. Noun. A layer of paint designed to underlay a topcoat, used to enhance the adhesion and durability of the topcoat and help in protection of the surface. ¹

7. Noun. A device used to circulate gasoline into the ignition chamber of an engine. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Primer

1. a book that covers the basics of a subject [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Primer

prime ministers
prime ministership
prime mover
prime movers
prime number
prime numbers
prime of life
prime quantity
prime time
primed
primed(p)
primehood
primely
primeness
primenesses
primer (current term)
primer coat
primero
primerole
primeroles
primeros
primers
primes
primetime
primeur
primeurs
primeval
primeval forest
primeval forests
primeval soup

Literary usage of Primer

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1904)
"Historical Evidences 454 Egypt and Babylon »28 L. primer ... CHARLOTTE M. г Germany 309 L. primer j France 287 Sm. Pica Greece 285 Sm. Pica Rome 248 AESOP. ..."

2. American Book Prices Current by Katherine Kyes Leab, Daniel J Leab (1905)
"New England primer Enlarged and Improved. Newbury- (Bdg. defective, title ... New England primer Improved. Bost., Joseph Bumstead for David West, 1791. ..."

3. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"When, therefore, we read in Chaucer's "Prioress's Tale" (1386) of the primer used by the "litel clergeon seven years of age"— "This litel child, ..."

4. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"When, therefore, we read in Chaucer's "Prioress's Tale" (1386) of the primer used by the "litel clergeon seven years of age — "This litel child, ..."

5. American Journal of Education (1860)
"THE primer. The earliest printed book used in the tuition of youth was the ... At the Reformation the "primer" was retained, but the requisite changes were ..."

6. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne (1913)
"When, therefore, we read in Chaucer's "Prioress's Tale" (1386) of the primer used by the "litel clergeon seven years of age — "This litel child, ..."

7. The Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries by John Austin Stevens, Benjamin Franklin DeCosta, Henry Phelps Johnston, Martha Joanna Lamb, Nathan Gillett Pond, William Abbatt (1888)
"In the days of White- field fathers of families laid this little primer on ... Contemporaries assure us that from its inception copies of the primer were ..."

8. Psychological Review by American Psychological Association (1895)
"Professor Ladd's primer is like his other books in that it is carefully ... A book which bears the title of 'primer' should be written in such a style. ..."

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