Chapter Firewarden to Fish of F by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

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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.] — Firstfruit 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.

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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 — 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.

First
(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
(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.

Firstborn
(First"born`) a. First brought forth; first in the order of nativity; eldest; hence, most excellent; most distinguished or exalted.

First-class
(First"-class`) a. Of the best class; of the highest rank; in the first division; of the best quality; first- rate; as, a first-class telescope.

First-class caror First-class railway carriage, any passenger car of the highest regular class, and intended for passengers who pay the highest regular rate; — distinguished from a second-class car.

First-hand
(First"-hand`) a. Obtained directly from the first or original source; hence, without the intervention of an agent.

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.

Firstling
(First"ling) n. [First + - ling.]

1. The first produce or offspring; — said of animals, especially domestic animals; as, the firstlings of his flock. Milton.

2. The thing first thought or done.

The very firstlings of my heart shall be
The firstlings of my hand.

Shak.