HOW TO PRONOUNCE
primer
/ˈpɹɪm.əɹ/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does primer mean?
noun
- A children's book intended to teach literacy: how to read, write, and spell.
- An introductory text on any subject, particularly basic concepts.
- Any substance or device, such as priming wire or blasting cap, used to ignite gunpowder or other explosive.
More meanings (16)
noun
- A substance used to prime wood, metal, etc. in preparation for painting.
- A layer of such a substance.
- A layer of makeup that goes beneath the foundation; undermakeup.
- A molecule which initiates the synthesis of an enzyme, (especially) a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule which initiates DNA replication.
- A pheromone which interacts first with the endocrine system.
- A device used to prime an internal combustion engine with gasoline, (especially) in airplanes.
- A person who prunes trees.
- (historical) A prayer or devotional book intended for laity, initially an abridgment of the breviary and manual including the hours of the Virgin Mary, 15 gradual and 7 penitential psalms, the litany, the placebo and dirige forming the office of the dead, and the commendations.
- (historical) Any of various similar works issued in England for private prayer in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer.
- (obsolete) An elementary school class; an elementary school student.
- (obsolete) A person who primes explosives.
- (obsolete) A person who primes wood, metal, etc.
proper noun
- A surname.
adjective
- (obsolete) First in time, initial, early.
- (obsolete) First in importance, premier.
- (obsolete, rare) First in position, foremost.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈpɹɪm.əɹ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Is it a text-book of science, an appendix to the geography, an introduction to the primer of history?
I must thank you for the gift of your Art Primer, which I have read with much pleasure.
More book examples (3)
Among the other books were a primer, some child’s readers, numerous picture books, and a great dictionary.
Sixteen years ago when my children were little creatures the governess was trying to hammer some primer histories into their heads.
Her own classmates had passed out in the preceding year but the rest had all gone to school with her, excepting the primer class and ten newcomers to Avonlea.