Primer

Noun

 * 1) An elementary textbook introducing a topic, or teaching basic concepts.
 * 2) An elementary book for teaching children to learn the alphabet and to read, write and spell.
 * Kennedy's New Latin Primer (an introductory grammar, published 2008)
 * 1)  A single-stranded nucleic acid molecule required for the initiation of replication of a DNA molecule.
 * 2) Any substance used to start a fire.
 * 3) 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.
 * 4) 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.
 * 5) A device used to circulate gasoline into the ignition chamber of an engine.

Related terms

 * primary
 * prime

Thesaurus
abecedarium, abecedary, alphabet, alphabet book, and arithmetic, basics, battledore, blasting cap, cap, casebook, chromogen, coat, coat of paint, coating, color, color filter, color gelatin, colorant, coloring, dead-color, detonating powder, detonator, distemper, drier, dye, dyestuff, electric detonator, elementary education, elements, exercise book, exploder, exterior paint, first principles, first steps, flat coat, flat wash, floor enamel, fulminating mercury, fuse, gradus, grammar, ground, hornbook, induction, initiation, interior paint, introduction, manual, manual of instruction, medium, mercury fulminate, opaque color, outlines, paint, percussion cap, pigment, primacord, prime coat, priming, principia, principles, propaedeutic, reader, reading, rudiments, schoolbook, speller, spelling book, squib, stain, t, tempera, text, thinner, tinction, tincture, transparent color, turpentine, turps, undercoat, undercoating, vehicle, wash, wash coat, workbook, writing