| 释义 |
firstling|ˈfɜːstlɪŋ|
[f. first a. + -ling.]
The first of its kind to be produced, come into being, or appear; the first product or result of anything. Usually in collect. pl., like first-fruits.
In its earliest recorded use, perh. after G. erstling.
1535Coverdale Prov. iii. 9 Honoure the Lorde..with y⊇ firstlinges of all thine encrease. 1574tr. Marlorat's Apocalips 9 Christ is therefore called the..firstlings of them that ryse againe. 1605Shakes. Macb. iv. i. 147 The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand. 1684Bunyan Pilgr. ii. Introd., Perhaps..they will imbrace Thee, as they did my firstling. 1830J. G. Strutt Sylva Brit. 110 Lord Chancellor Bacon..procured the firstlings of the species [the Plane] from Sicily. 1861Sala Dutch Pict. viii. 120 She had sacrificed her youth, the firstlings of her beauty.
b. esp. The first offspring of an animal, the first-born of the season.
1593Drayton Eclogues iii. 130 Beta shall have the firstling of the Fold. 1697Dryden Virg. Past. i. 9 The tender Firstlings of my Woolly breed. 1725Pope Odyss. iv. 841 The firstlings of the flock are doom'd to dye. 1839Mrs. Hemans Poems, Forest Sanctuary, No fair young firstling. 1879Butcher & Lang Odyss. 141 Each kind was penned by itself, the firstlings apart.
c. attrib.
1611Bible Deut. xv. 19 All the firstling males that come of thy heard. 1814Cary Dante's Paradise xxiv. 142 From this germ, this firstling spark, The lively flame dilates. 1863Macm. Mag. Mar. 349 On our soil her foot is set With the firstling violet. 1870Bryant Iliad I. iv. 109 A hecatomb Of firstling lambs. |