Primmer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A tool used for preparing a surface before applying a finish or coating
2. A type of instructional material that outlines foundational knowledge on a subject
3. An item or method that helps ensure accuracy or clarity in a process

Etymology: The word "primer" as a book of basic instruction goes back to the 1400s, when it was a "primer" in the sense of a prayer book used for teaching children to read. That usage comes from Medieval Latin "primarius," meaning "of the first rank," which was used of the first book a child learned from. The sense of a prayer book for laypeople came first; the schoolbook sense followed, and a primer in the modern meaning of an introductory textbook grew naturally out of that teaching role. The word is related to "prime," which also comes from Latin "primus," "first." The shared root shows up in many English words that concern beginnings or first rank, such as "primary," "primitive," and "prime number." A primer is, in the most literal sense, the first thing a learner meets.

Synonyms: textbook, manual, guide, reader, instructional book