Definition: priming

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

priming
     n 1: the act of making something ready
     2: any igniter by which an explosive charge is ignited [syn: fuse,
         fuze, fusee, fuzee, primer]
     3: the first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a
        surface [syn: flat coat, ground, primer, primer
        coat, priming coat, undercoat]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prime \Prime\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Primed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Priming.] [From Prime, a.]
   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.] --Thackeray.

   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.

Priming \Prim"ing\, 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.