The DICT Development Group

  First \First\ (f[~e]rst), a. [OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin
     to Icel. fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. f["o]rste, OHG. furist, G.
     f["u]rst 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest;
        as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
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     At first blush. See under Blush.
  
     At first hand, from the first or original source; without
        the intervention of any agent.
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              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 First 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.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  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.
          [1913 Webster]

  first mate
      n 1: the officer below the master on a commercial ship [syn:
           mate, first mate]