a. [ OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin to Icel. fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. förste, OHG. furist, G. fürst prince; a superlatiye form of E. for, fore. See For, Fore, and cf. Formeer, Foremost. ]
At first blush.
At first hand,
First coat (Plastering),
First day,
First floor.
First fruit
First fruits
From thy implanted grace in man! Milton.
First mate,
First name,
First officer (Naut.),
First sergeant (Mil.),
First watch (Naut.),
First water,
adv. Before any other person or thing in time, space, rank, etc.; -- much used in composition with adjectives and participles. [ 1913 Webster ]
Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1 Tim. ii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]
At first,
At the first
First or last,
And all are fools and lovers first or last. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Mus.) The upper part of a duet, trio, etc., either vocal or instrumental; -- so called because it generally expresses the air, and has a preëminence in the combined effect. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Medical care provided immediately after an injury or sudden illness for the purpose of minimizing injurious effects, before more complete medical care becomes available. [ PJC ]
a. First brought forth; first in the order of birth; eldest; hence, most excellent; most distinguished or exalted;
n. The first child born to a parent;
a. Of the best class; of the highest rank; in the first division; of the best quality; first-rate;
First-class car
First-class railway carriage
adj. distributed in order to those who request it in person; not subject to reservation for later delivery. Contrasted with
a. Obtained directly from the first or original source; hence, without the intervention of an agent; -- of information;
One sphere there is . . . where the apprehension of him is first-hand and direct; and that is the sphere of our own mind. J. Martineau. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Firstborn. [ 1913 Webster ]
All the firstling males. Deut. xv. 19. [ 1913 Webster ]