primer
noun- /ˈpraɪmə(r)//ˈpraɪmər/[uncountable, countable] a type of paint that is put on wood, metal, etc. before it is painted to help the paint to stay on the surface
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- /ˈpraɪmə(r)//ˈprɪmər/[countable] (North American English) a book that contains basic instructions
- The President doesn't need a primer on national security.
- /ˈpraɪmə(r)//ˈprɪmər/[countable] (old-fashioned) a book for teaching children how to read, or containing basic facts about a school subject
Word Originsenses 2 to 3 late Middle English: from medieval Latin primarius (liber) ‘primary (book)’ and primarium (manuale) ‘primary (manual)’.
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