FIRST NAME • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of First name

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/fərst neɪm/ Listen

adjective

First adj.

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.

2.

Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.

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."

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. "See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung From thy implanted grace in man!"

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.

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.

Synonyms: Primary; primordial; primitive; primeval; pristine; highest; chief; principal; foremost.

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Etymology of 'First name'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"First name" Quotes from Famous Books

... and began work at the station with the women who were selling there. Dr. Powell, as our interpreter, undertook the personal dealings, and our material, as was to be expected, was chiefly women. When we came to record the names of our subjects, we found that every woman's first name was Maria, the differentiation between them being first found in the middle name. They were little creatures, scarcely larger than well grown girls of eleven or twelve among ourselves. Some old women, with grey hair and wrinkled faces who piously kissed ...

— In Indian Mexico (1908) • Frederick Starr

... dignitary was evidently hoping to lead me among the monuments, recite to me their old histories, and benefit by my consequent gratitude; he had even got so far as smiling and removing his hat when John Mayrant stopped him. The young man hailed the negro by his first name with that particular and affectionate superiority which few Northerners can understand and none can acquire, and which resembles nothing so much as the way in which you speak to your old dog who has loved you and followed you, because you have ...

— Lady Baltimore • Owen Wister

... started on the subject of family, and I COULDN'T switch her off. She wanted to know what my mother's maiden name was—did you ever hear such an impertinent question to ask of a person from a foundling asylum? I didn't have the courage to say I didn't know, so I just miserably plumped on the first name I could think of, and that was Montgomery. Then she wanted to know whether I belonged to the Massachusetts Montgomerys or ...

— Daddy-Long-Legs • Jean Webster

... added that I was the only person she knew who never bored or wearied her. Yes, no matter how awkward the written words may look, I know I was convinced that, if I should set myself to do it, I could woo and win this charming woman, whose first name, by the way, I did ...

— The Record of Nicholas Freydon - An Autobiography • A. J. (Alec John) Dawson

... (through) the sea called Mediterraneum, into the occean, and so finally to finde this He, and to inhabit it, * * * * is both impossible, and much reproche to this noble Realme, to ascribe hir first name and habitation, to such inuention. Another opinion is (which hath a more honeste similitude) that it was named Albion, ab albis rupibus, of white rockes, because that unto them, that come by sea, the bankes and rockes of this He ...

— The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 17, No. - 488, May 7, 1831 • Various

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