primer

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small introductory book, especially one used to teach children to read or to explain the basics of a subject

   The pupils progressed from simple primers to longer works of literature.

2. 2
   noun

   a preparatory coating applied before paint or another finish, usually pronounced with the vowel of prime

   The decorator applied a stain-blocking primer before painting the wall.

3. 3
   noun

   a device or substance used to initiate ignition, especially in ammunition or an engine

   The firing pin struck the primer and ignited the cartridge.

4. 4
   noun

   a short strand of nucleic acid that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis

   The technician added a primer designed to bind to the target DNA sequence.

The book sense comes from Middle English primer, a layperson's prayer book, through Anglo-French from Medieval Latin primarium, 'primary manual.' The technical senses were formed later from the verb prime, 'prepare for use.' In American English the introductory-book sense traditionally has the short vowel in prim, while paint and ignition primers have the vowel in prime; British usage commonly has the latter vowel for both.

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