1. Preceding all others of a
series or kind; the
ordinal of one; earliest; as, the
first day of a month; the
first year of a reign.
2. Foremost; in
front of, or in
advance of, all others.
3. most
eminent or exalted; most best; chief; highest; as, Demosthenes was the
first orator of Greece. at
first blush. See Blush. At
first arm, from the
first or
original source;
without the
intervention of any agent. "It is the
intention of the
face to reveal it at
first arm, by
way of mouth, to yourself." (Dickens) First
coat The
first year's
intact profits of a benefice or spiritual living. The earliest effects or results. "See, Father, what
first fruits on
land are sprung From thy implanted
grace in man!" (Milton) First mate, an
officer in a merchant
vessel following in
rank to the captain. First name,
same as Christian name. See Name, First officer, the
watch from eight to
twelve at midnight; also, the
men on
duty during that time. First water, the highest
characteristic or purest luster; said of gems, especially of
diamond and pearls.
Synonym: Primary, primordial, primitive, primeval, pristine, highest, chief, principal, foremost.
Origin: OE. First, furst, AS. Fyrst;
akin to Icel. Fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. Forste, OHG. Furist, G. Furst prince; a superlatiye
form of E. For, fore. See For, Fore, and cf. Formeer, Foremost.
Source: Websters Vocabulary