primer

  1. Noun.  An elementary textbook introducing a topic, or teaching basic concepts.
  2. Noun.  An elementary book for teaching children to learn the alphabet and to read, write and spell.
  3. Noun.  (biology) A single-stranded nucleic acid molecule required for the initiation of replication of a DNA molecule.
  4. Noun.  Any substance used to start a fire.
  5. Noun.  A small charge that burns furiously when given sufficient electrical current (Explosive primer) or when struck with force (percussion caps) that ignites the main combustable substances in explosives or ammunition.
  6. Noun.  A layer of paint designed to underlay a topcoat, used to enhance the adhesion and durability of the topcoat and help in protection of the surface.
  7. Noun.  A device used to circulate gasoline into the ignition chamber of an engine.

This is an unmodified, but possibly outdated, definition from Wiktionary and used here under the Creative Commons license. Wiktionary is a great resource. If you like it too, please donate to Wikimedia.

This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.