Added 9 October 2026
primer
/ˈpɹaɪ.mə/ noun
In Latin: abecedārium Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about primer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- An introductory textbook.
- Any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant.
- The first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface.
Origin
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 (suffix forming related objects). Its use for schoolbooks derived from the late medieval and early modern use of such prayer books to teach reading.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)