Main Entry: ¹prim·er

Pronunciation: \ˈpri-mər, chiefly British ˈprī-mər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, layperson's prayer book, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin primarium, from Late Latin, neuter of primarius primary

Date: 14th century

1 : a small book for teaching children to read
2 : a small introductory book on a subject
3 : a short informative piece of writing