First , 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.
First (?), adv. Before any other person or thing in time, space, rank, etc.; -- much used in composition with adjectives and
participles.
Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Tim. ii. 13. At first, At the first, at the beginning or origin. -- First or last, at one time or another; at the beginning or end.
And all are
fools and lovers first or last.
Dryden.
First (?), 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.]
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 excellent; chief; highest;
as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
At first blush. See under Blush. -- At first hand, from the first or original source; without the intervention of any agent.
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 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.
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.
Hear it pronounced