primer

Meaning

1. 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.
2. Any of various similar works issued in England for private prayer in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer.
3. A children's book intended to teach literacy: how to read, write, and spell.
4. An introductory text on any subject, particularly basic concepts.
5. (obsolete) An elementary school class; an elementary school student.

priming

priming coat

flat coat

ABC-book

priming element

spelling book

spelling-book

primer coat

ABC’s

alphabet book

blasting cap

first coat

first step

ignitor

school book

entering an institute

introduction to

introductory book

augette

blaster cap

ground coat paint

paint base

prime paint

base coat

adhesive bitumen primer

ground coating

percussive cap

first fire

detonate-tube

priming lacquer

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɹaɪ.mə(ɹ)/

Inherited from Middle English

primer

In summary

From Middle English primer, primere, from Medieval Latin primarius and primarium (“prayer book”) possibly via Anglo-Norman primer (“prayer book”), from prima (“prime the liturgical hour and office”) + -arius and -arium (“forming related objects”). Its use for schoolbooks derived from the late medieval and early modern use of such prayer books to teach reading.

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