Category:Primer

Prim"er, n.

Defn: one who, or that which, primes; specifically, an instrument or Device for priming; esp., a cap, tube, or water containing percussion Powder or other capable for igniting a charge of gunpowder.

Primer Prim"er, a. Etym: [of. primer, primier, premier, f. premier. See Premier.]

Defn: first; original; primary. [obs.] "the primer english kings." Drayton. Primer fine (o. Eng. Law), a fine due to the king on the Writ or commencement of a suit by fine. Blackstone. -- primer seizin (feudal law), the right of the king, when a tenant In capite died seized of a knight's fee, to receive of the heir, if Of full age, one year's profits of the land if in possession, and Half a year's profits if the land was in reversion expectant on an Estate for life; -- now abolished. Blackstone.

Primer Prim"er, n. Etym: [originally, the book read at prime, the first Canonical hour. Ll. primae liber. See prime, n., 4.]

1. Originally, a small prayer book for church service, containing the Little office of the virgin mary; also, a work of elementary Religious instruction. The primer, or office of the blessed virgin. Bp. Stillingfleet.

2. A small elementary book for teaching children to read; a reading Or spelling book for a beginner. As he sat in the school at his prymer. Chaucer.

3. (print.)

Defn: a kind of type, of which there are two species; one, called Long primer, intermediate in size between bourgeois and small pica [see long primer]; the other, called great primer, larger than pica.

Note: great primer type.