primer
n. countablen. a short book or document that teaches you the basic facts about a subject. It is a simple guide for beginners who are starting to learn something new.
n. an introductory text or manual providing basic information or instruction on a specific subject. Often used to describe a concise overview intended for those with little prior knowledge.
This book is a great primer on how to start a small business.
The professor provided a ten-page primer on quantum mechanics to help the students prepare for the first lecture.
Before the summit began, the delegates were issued a policy primer that outlined the historical tensions and current diplomatic objectives of each participating nation.
From Middle English primer, primere, from Medieval Latin primarius and primarium (“prayer book”) possibly via Anglo-Norman primer (“prayer book”), from prima (“prime the liturgical hour and office”) + -arius and -arium (suffix forming related objects). Its use for schoolbooks derived from the late medieval and early modern use of such prayer books to teach reading.
From prime + -er.
From Anglo-Norman primer (“first”), from Latin prīmārius (“first”).
Commonly followed by the preposition 'on' to indicate the subject matter.