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noun
1.
an elementary book for teaching children to read.
2.
any book of elementary principles: a primer of phonetics.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin prīmārium, noun use of neuter of prīmārius primary
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin prīmārium, noun use of neuter of prīmārius primary
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Primer
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Example Sentences
- Hopefully the above links will provide a helpful primer on how best to begin.
- What follows is not a technical primer but advice from the hard-won lessons of getting pictures out of tough situations.
- Our nuclear primer explains what that means and how the situation compares to past nuclear accidents.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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.
adjective
1.
of the first importance; demanding the fullest consideration: a prime requisite.
2.
of the greatest relevance or significance: a prime example.
3.
of the highest eminence or rank: the prime authority on Chaucer.
4.
of the greatest commercial value: prime building lots.
5.
EXPANDfirst-rate: This ale is prime!
6.
(of meat, especially of beef) noting or pertaining to the first grade or best quality: prime ribs of beef.
7.
first in order of time, existence, or development; earliest; primitive.
8.
basic; fundamental: the prime axioms of his philosophy.
9.
COLLAPSEMathematics. (of any two or more numbers) having no common divisor except unity: The number 2 is prime to 9.
noun
10.
the most flourishing stage or state.
11.
the time of early manhood or womanhood: the prime of youth.
12.
the period or state of greatest perfection or vigor of human life: a man in his prime.
13.
the choicest or best part of anything.
14.
EXPAND(especially in the grading of U.S. beef) a grade, classification, or designation indicating the highest or most desirable quality.
15.
the beginning or earliest stage of any period.
16.
the spring of the year.
17.
the first hour or period of the day, after sunrise.
18.
Banking. prime rate.
19.
Ecclesiastical. the second of the seven canonical hours or the service for it, originally fixed for the first hour of the day.
20.
Mathematics.
b.
one of the equal parts into which a unit is primarily divided.
c.
the mark (′) indicating such a division: a, a′.
21.
Fencing. the first of eight defensive positions.
22.
23.
Linguistics. any basic, indivisible unit used in linguistic analysis.
24.
COLLAPSEMetallurgy. a piece of tin plate free from visible defects.
verb (used with object)
25.
to prepare or make ready for a particular purpose or operation.
26.
to supply (a firearm) with powder for communicating fire to a charge.
27.
to lay a train of powder to (a charge, mine, etc.).
28.
to pour or admit liquid into (a pump) to expel air and prepare for action.
29.
EXPANDto put fuel into (a carburetor) before starting an engine, in order to insure a sufficiently rich mixture at the start.
30.
to cover (a surface) with a preparatory coat or color, as in painting.
31.
to supply or equip with information, words, etc., for use: The politician was primed by his aides for the press conference.
32.
COLLAPSEto harvest the bottom leaves from (a tobacco plant).
verb (used without object)
33.
(of a boiler) to deliver or discharge steam containing an excessive amount of water.
34.
to harvest the bottom leaves from a tobacco plant.
Origin:
before 1000; 1910–15 for def. 5; (adj.) Middle English (< Old French prim) < Latin prīmus first (superlative corresponding to prior prior1); (noun) in part derivative of the adj.; in part continuing Middle English prim(e) first canonical hour, Old English prim < Latin prīma (hōra) first (hour); (v.) apparently derivative of the adj.
before 1000; 1910–15 for def. 5; (adj.) Middle English (< Old French prim) < Latin prīmus first (superlative corresponding to prior prior1); (noun) in part derivative of the adj.; in part continuing Middle English prim(e) first canonical hour, Old English prim < Latin prīma (hōra) first (hour); (v.) apparently derivative of the adj.
Related forms
prime·ness, noun
non·prime, adjective
re·prime, verb (used with object), -primed, -prim·ing.
self-primed, adjective
un·primed, adjective
EXPANDwell-primed, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
1. primary. 7. Prime, primeval, primitive have reference to that which is first. Prime means first in numerical order or order of development: prime meridian; prime cause. Primeval means belonging to the first or earliest ages: the primeval forest. Primitive suggests the characteristics of the origins or early stages of a development, and hence implies the simplicity of original things: primitive tribes, conditions, ornaments, customs, tools.
1. primary. 7. Prime, primeval, primitive have reference to that which is first. Prime means first in numerical order or order of development: prime meridian; prime cause. Primeval means belonging to the first or earliest ages: the primeval forest. Primitive suggests the characteristics of the origins or early stages of a development, and hence implies the simplicity of original things: primitive tribes, conditions, ornaments, customs, tools.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To primer
Collins
World English Dictionary
| primer1 (ˈpraɪmə) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an introductory text, such as a school textbook |
| 2. | printing long primer See great primer |
| [C14: via Anglo-Norman from Medieval Latin primārius (liber) a first (book), from Latin prīmārius | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
prime
"to fill, charge, load" (a weapon), 1513, probably from prime (adj.) (q.v.). Primer "explosive cap" is from 1819.
EXPANDprimer
late 14c., "prayer-book," also "school book" (senses not distinguished in Middle Ages, as reading was taught from prayer books), from M.L. primarius, from L. primus "first" (see prime (adj.)). The exact sense is uncertain, and the word may be from prime (n.) on the same notion
as a "Book of Hours." Meaning "small introductory book on any topic" is from 1807.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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