The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
First \First\ (f[~e]rst), a. [OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin
to Icel. fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. f["o]rste, OHG. furist, G.
f["u]rst prince; a superlatiye form of E. for, fore. See
For, Fore, and cf. Formeer, Foremost.]
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.
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2. Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.
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3. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest;
as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
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At first blush. See under Blush.
At first hand, from the first or original source; without
the intervention of any agent.
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It is the intention of the person to reveal it at
first hand, by way of mouth, to yourself. --Dickens.
First coat (Plastering), the solid foundation of coarse
stuff, on which the rest is placed; it is thick, and
crossed with lines, so as to give a bond for the next
coat.
First day, Sunday; -- so called by the Friends.
First floor.
(a) The ground floor. [U.S.]
(b) The floor next above the ground floor. [Eng.]
First fruit or First fruits.
(a) The fruits of the season earliest gathered.
(b) (Feudal Law) One year's profits of lands belonging to
the king on the death of a tenant who held directly
from him.
(c) (Eng. Eccl. Law) The first year's whole profits of a
benefice or spiritual living.
(d) The earliest effects or results.
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See, Father, what first fruits on earth are
sprung
From thy implanted grace in man! --Milton.
First mate, an officer in a merchant vessel next in rank to
the captain.
First name, same as Christian name. See under Name, n.
First officer (Naut.), in the merchant service, same as
First mate (above).
First sergeant (Mil.), the ranking non-commissioned officer
in a company; the orderly sergeant. --Farrow.
First watch (Naut.), the watch from eight to twelve at
midnight; also, the men on duty during that time.
First water, the highest quality or purest luster; -- said
of gems, especially of diamond and pearls.
Syn: Primary; primordial; primitive; primeval; pristine;
highest; chief; principal; foremost.
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