primer

¹

[ prim-eror, especially British, prahy-mer ]

noun

1. an elementary book for teaching children to read.
2. any book of elementary principles:

   a primer of phonetics.

3. great primer.
4. long primer.

primer

²

[ prahy-mer ]

noun

1. a person or thing that primes.
2. a cap, cylinder, etc., containing a compound that may be exploded by percussion or other means, used for firing a charge of powder.
3. a first coat or layer of paint, size, etc., given to any surface as a base, sealer, or the like.

primer

¹

/ ˈpraɪmə /

noun

1. a person or thing that primes
2. a device, such as a tube containing explosive, for detonating the main charge in a gun, mine, etc
3. a substance, such as paint, applied to a surface as a base, sealer, etc

primer

²

/ ˈpraɪmə /

noun

1. an introductory text, such as a school textbook
2. See great primer, long primer
   printing See long primer great primer

Word History and Origins

Origin of primer¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin prīmārium, noun use of neuter of prīmārius primary

Origin of primer²

1490–1500; prime (v.) + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of primer¹

C15: see prime (vb)

Origin of primer²

C14: via Anglo-Norman from Medieval Latin primārius ( liber ) a first (book), from Latin prīmārius primary

Example Sentences

Still, Fauci’s beginnings, trajectory and redefinition of the role of government scientist are fascinating enough that most of this compact two hours and 59 minutes of listening form a worthwhile primer for the uninitiated.

From Washington Post

Audubon has a great primer on how to get kids stoked on birding.

From Outside Online

Early last year we put together a short primer on how to choose a location data provider.

From Search Engine Land

If you’re interested in learning more about the app that has been billed by one of its co-owners as the “adult version” of TikTok, here’s a primer.

From Digiday

Here’s a primer on what to know about the app, how it’s differentiated and why it’s well placed to become TikTok’s main rival.

From Digiday

Like Edgar, he remembers a unique time when American rappers came down and performed at the Primer Festival de Rap Cubano.

From The Daily Beast

A brief primer on the drug: the world got to know Ambien when it was first introduced in 1992.

From The Daily Beast

Gregory Korte at USA Today wrote what is probably the most complete primer on the shutdown.

From The Daily Beast

Ahead of ‘Star Trek Into Darkness,’ Sujay Kumar offers a primer on the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.

From The Daily Beast

A primer to the career of the man who just became one of the most important figures in sports.

From The Daily Beast

Dan inserted the primer, pulled the lanyard and sent the contents of the gun into the ranks of the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

The first book opens with a translation from a French reading-primer, Lducation maternelle.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Jess cut a wonderful m while Violet sewed the primer down the back, and gathered a cupful of blackberries.

From Project Gutenberg

Even before recovering from the effects of the voyage, the Arabic primer, with its alphabet, was brought to the bedside.

From Project Gutenberg

Elated with your wonderful discovery, you are eager to catch a minute to study your primer.

From Project Gutenberg