great primer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Rare (Technical/Historical)Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “great primer” mean?
A specific, large size of type used in printing, measuring approximately 18 points (approx. 6.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, large size of type used in printing, measuring approximately 18 points (approx. 6.3 mm tall).
A term from traditional typography and letterpress printing for a standard type size, now largely historical but still referenced in printing history, bibliography, and design contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally historical/archaic in both varieties. The pronunciation may show minor variation.
Connotations
Connotes traditional printing, letterpress, historical documents, and classic typography.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language. Used almost exclusively by typographers, historians of print, bibliographers, and rare book specialists.
Grammar
How to Use “great primer” in a Sentence
The [book/chapter] was [printed/set] in great primer.They used a [font/type] of great primer for the [title/heading].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great primer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The great primer specimen sheet showed the full character set.
- It was a great primer sort from the old Caslon foundry.
American English
- The great primer sample displayed classic Roman proportions.
- He found a great primer matrix in the old print shop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical studies of printing, bibliography, and book history.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The primary context; used in typography, letterpress printing, and graphic design history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great primer”
- Using 'great primer' to mean an excellent textbook.
- Treating 'great' and 'primer' as separable words with their common meanings.
- Assuming it is a modern, common term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, technical term from historical printing and typography.
Almost never. It would only be understood by people with knowledge of traditional printing.
In digital typography, it corresponds roughly to 18-point type, but the name itself is not used in modern software.
The naming system for type sizes evolved haphazardly. 'Primer' likely comes from a size used for prayer books (primers), and 'great' distinguished this larger version from the standard 'primer' size.
A specific, large size of type used in printing, measuring approximately 18 points (approx. 6.
Great primer is usually technical / historical in register.
Great primer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈpraɪmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈpraɪmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GREAT, PRIMARY (primer) headline in an old newspaper – that's GREAT PRIMER type.
Conceptual Metaphor
TYPE SIZE IS A HIERARCHY (part of a system of named sizes like 'great primer' > 'english' > 'pica' > 'small pica').
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'great primer' specifically refer to?