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| At first hand | 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. [1913 Webster] {At first blush}. See under {Blush}. {At first hand}, from the first or original source; without the intervention of any agent. [1913 Webster] 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] |
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