The Collaborative International Dictionary
Priming \Prim"ing\, n.
The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm.
(Paint.) The first coating of color, size, or the like, laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface.
-
(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.
Usage examples of "priming tube".
He could see the gunners behind their embrasure, one holding the portfire which would spark the priming tube and slam the canister from the muzzle, and he aimed a little above the man's head and pulled the trigger.
The men crouched with their hands over their ears as the Sergeant touched the priming tube with a match burning at the end of a long pole, and the gun slammed back on the inclined wooden platform.
The Sergeant took a length of wire that hung looped on his belt and rammed it through the cannon's touch-hole, piercing the canvas bag beneath, then selected a priming tube, a reed filled with finely milled powder, and slid it down into the powder charge, but leaving a half-inch of the reed protruding above the touchhole.