primer

Everyday

1. A primer is a first, easy book for learning to read or to count, or a short book that teaches the basics of a subject. tree →
2. Primer is also a first coat of paint that helps the top paint stick. tree →
3. A primer is also a small part that sets off a firework or bullet. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a word of the story (a school book) or paint used before the main paint; old arithmetic primers had many problems. In history: children learned from primers in old schools. In art and building: primer goes on bare wood or metal first.

Examples

• The old arithmetic primer has 100 problems. tree →
• He bought a can of primer. tree →
• The primer costs 12 dollars. tree →
• Children long ago learned to read from a primer. tree →
• Paint the fence with primer before the red paint. tree →
• This book is a primer on how volcanoes work. tree →
• Let the primer dry before the next coat. tree →

Note

Carries no operation by itself. In old books «primer» is the name of a school book. Trap: primer paint is counted like other paint, in cans or liters. Pronunciation: the book is often said «PRIM-er» (USA) and the paint «PRY-mer».