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noun Priming n. 1.The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm. 2.(Paint.) The first coating of color, size, or the like, laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface. 3.(Steam Eng.) The carrying over of water, with the steam, from the boiler, as into the cylinder. Priming of the tide. See Lag of the tide, under 2d Lag. Priming tube, a small pipe, filled with a combustible composition for firing cannon. Priming valve (Steam Eng.), a spring safety valve applied to the cylinder of a steam engine for discharging water carried into the cylinder by priming. Priming wire, a pointed wire used to penetrate the vent of a piece, for piercing the cartridge before priming.
verb Prime v. t. (past & past part. primed; pres. part. priming) 1.To apply priming to, as a musket or a cannon; to apply a primer to, as a metallic cartridge. 2.To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall. 3.To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to post; to coach; as, to prime a witness; the boys are primed for mischief. (Colloq.) 4.To trim or prune, as trees. (Obs. or Prov. Eng.) 5.(Math.) To mark with a prime mark. To prime a pump, to charge a pump with water, in order to put it in working condition.
Prime v. i. 1.To be renewed, or as at first. (Obs.) "Night's bashful empress, though she often wane, As oft repeats her darkness, primes again." 2.To serve as priming for the charge of a gun. 3.To work so that foaming occurs from too violent ebullition, which causes water to become mixed with, and be carried along with, the steam that is formed; said of a steam boiler.
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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