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.
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.