To prime a pump

To prime a pump
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. [1913 Webster]

2. To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

4. To trim or prune, as trees. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

5. (Math.) To mark with a prime mark. [1913 Webster]

{To prime a pump}, to charge a pump with water, in order to put it in working condition. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • prime the pump — ► to provide money, encouragement, ideas, etc. to help something get started: »Venture capital needs to be raised to prime the pump of startups, which are long on ideas but short on cash. Main Entry: ↑prime …   Financial and business terms

  • prime the pump — ► prime the pump stimulate growth or success by supplying money. Main Entry: ↑prime …   English terms dictionary

  • prime the pump — phrasal : to take steps to encourage the growth, functioning, or expression of something; specifically : to attempt to stimulate employment or economic activity by government spending this spending has not yet primed the pump T.W.Arnold compare… …   Useful english dictionary

  • prime the pump —    deliberately to cause inflation by excessive government spending    The fiscal theory, now largely discredited, is that higher taxation or borrowing spent on more public works will lead to economic growth without inflation or depreciating the… …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • prime the pump — mainly American to do something in order to make something succeed, especially to spend money. European governments and banks are priming the pump world wide looking for alternative energy …   New idioms dictionary

  • prime the pump — stimulate growth or success by supplying money. → prime …   English new terms dictionary

  • prime the pump — phrasal to take steps to encourage the growth or functioning of something …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • prime the pump — to help a business or activity to be successful, especially by providing money at the start …   English dictionary

  • prime the pump — idi a) to increase government expenditure in an effort to stimulate the economy b) to support or promote the operation or improvement of something …   From formal English to slang

  • prime — Ⅰ. prime [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) of first importance; main. 2) of the best possible quality; excellent. 3) (of a number) divisible only by itself and one (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7). ► NOUN 1) a time of greatest vigour or success in a person s life. 2) …   English terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”