Word forms: plural primerspronunciation note: In America, the pronunciation (praɪməʳ) is used for meaning [sense 1], and (prɪməʳ) for meaning [sense 2].
1. variable noun
Primer is a type of paint that is put onto wood in order to prepare it for the main layer of paint.
Once applied the primer will be touch dry in one hour.
2. countable noun
A primer is a book containing basic facts about a subject, which is used by someone who is beginning to study that subject.
[old-fashioned]
primer in British English1
(ˈpraɪmə)
noun
1.
an introductory text, such as a school textbook
2. printing long primer, great primer
Word origin
C14: via Anglo-Norman from Medieval Latin primārius (liber) a first (book), from Latin prīmāriusprimary
primer in British English2
(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
Also called (for senses 2, 3): priming
Word origin
C15: see prime (vb)
primer in American English1
(ˈprɪmər; British ˈpraɪmər)
noun
1.
a simple book for teaching reading to beginners
2.
a textbook giving the first principles of any subject
3. see great primer
Word origin
ME prymer < ML primarius < L primus, first: see prime
primer in American English2
(ˈpraɪmər)
noun
a person or thing that primes
; specif.,
a.
a small cap, tube, etc. containing an explosive, used to set off a main charge
b.
paint, sizing, etc. used as a preparatory coating on a raw surface
Examples of 'primer' in a sentence
primer
He held the primer end up and said, "Every firing pin leaves a distinct impression on the primer, like a fingerprint.