First; original; primary.n. A first book; a small elementary book of instruction.n. Specifically (ecclesiastical), in England, both before and after the Reformation, a book of private devotions, especially one authorized by the church and partially or wholly in the vernacular, containing devotions for the hours, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments. certain psalms, instruction as to elements of Christian knowledge, etc. Primers are extant dating from the fourteenth century and earlier. A reformed primer was set forth under Henry VIII. in 1545, and continued in use with alterations till 1575. A new series of primers began in 1553, and unauthorized primers were also often issued. Books of devotion closely resembling the old primers in contents and character are extensively used among Anglicans at the present day.n. This is Long Primer type.n. One who or that which primes.n. A small powder-horn containing fine powder used for priming.n. Any one of many cerambycid beetles whose larvæ bore into the twigs of various trees, weakening them and causing them to fall off as if pruned.