Nearby Words

priming

[prahy-ming] Origin

prim·ing

[prahy-ming]
noun
1.
the powder or other material used to ignite a charge.
2.
the act of a person or thing that primes.
3.
material used as a primer, or a first coat or layer of paint, size, etc.

Origin:
1590–1600; prime + -ing1

self-prim·ing, adjective

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Priming is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

prime

[prahym] adjective, noun, verb, primed, prim·ing.
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.
first-rate: This ale is prime!
EXPAND
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.
Mathematics. (of any two or more numbers) having no common divisor except unity: The number 2 is prime to 9.
COLLAPSE
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.
(especially in the grading of U.S. beef) a grade, classification, or designation indicating the highest or most desirable quality.
EXPAND
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.
Music.
a.
unison (def. 2).
b.
(in a scale) the tonic or keynote.
23.
Linguistics. any basic, indivisible unit used in linguistic analysis.
24.
Metallurgy. a piece of tin plate free from visible defects.
COLLAPSE
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.
to put fuel into (a carburetor) before starting an engine, in order to insure a sufficiently rich mixture at the start.
EXPAND
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.
to harvest the bottom leaves from (a tobacco plant).
COLLAPSE
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.

prime·ness, noun
non·prime, adjective
re·prime, verb (used with object), -primed, -prim·ing.
self-primed, adjective
un·primed, adjective
EXPAND
well-primed, adjective
COLLAPSE


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 Link To priming
Collins
World English Dictionary
priming (ˈpraɪmɪŋ)
 
n
1.  something used to prime
2.  a substance, used to ignite an explosive charge

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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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

prime
"to fill, charge, load" (a weapon), 1513, probably from prime (adj.) (q.v.). Primer "explosive cap" is from 1819.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Matching Quote
"We had got a loaf of home-made bread, and musk and water melons for dessert. For this farmer, a clever and well-disposed man, cultivated a large patch of melons for the Hooksett and Concord markets. He hospitably entertained us the next day, exhibiting his hop-fields and kiln and melon-patch, warning us to step over the tight rope which surrounded the latter at a foot from the ground, while he pointed to a little bower at one corner, where it connected with the lock of a gun ranging with the line, and where, he informed us, he sometimes sat in pleasant nights to defend his premises against thieves. We stepped high over the line, and sympathized with our host's on the whole quite human, if not humane, interest in the success of his experiment. That night especially thieves were to be expected, from rumors in the atmosphere, and the priming was not wet. He was a Methodist man, who had his dwelling between the river and Uncannunuc Mountain; who there belonged, and stayed at home there, and by the encouragement of distant political organizations, and by his own tenacity, held a property in his melons, and continued to plant. We suggested melon seeds of new varieties and fruit of foreign flavor to be added to his stock. We had come away up here among the hills to learn the impartial and unbribable influence of Nature. Strawberries and melons grew as well in one man's garden as another's, and the sun lodges as kindly under his hillside,—when we had imagined that she inclined rather to some few earnest and faithful souls whom we know."
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