First

fėrst, adj. foremost: preceding all others in place, time, or degree: most eminent: chief.— adv. before anything else, in time, space, rank, .— adjs. First′-begot′ten , begotten or born first: eldest; First′-born , born first.— n. the first in the order of birth: the eldest child.— adj. First′-cla , of the first cla , rank, or quality.— ns. First′-day , Sunday; First′-floor (see Floor ); First′-foot ( Scot. ), the first person to enter a house after the beginning of the new year; First′-fruit , First′-fruits , the fruits first gathered in a season: the first profits or effects of anything, bishoprics, benefices, .— adj. First′-hand , obtained without the intervention of a second party.— n. First′ling , the first produce or offspring, esp. of animals.— adv. First′ly , in the first place.— adjs. First′-rate , of the first or highest rate or excellence: pre-eminent in quality, size, or estimation; First′-wa′ter , the first or highest quality, purest lustre—of diamonds and pearls. [A.S. fyrst ; the superl. of fore by adding -st .]