Priming

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm.

2. The first coating of color, size, or the like, laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface.

3. 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.