—
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 — 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 car or
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.