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.
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.