primer Hear it!

primer1 definition

primer (prim′ər; Brit prī′mər)

noun

  1. a simple book for teaching reading to beginners
  2. a textbook giving the first principles of any subject

Etymology: ME prymer < ML primarius < L primus, first: see prime

primer2 definition

primer (prī′mər)

noun

a person or thing that primes; specif.,
  1. a small cap, tube, etc. containing an explosive, used to set off a main charge
  2. paint, sizing, etc. used as a preparatory coating on a raw surface

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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