firstlyadv.n.
/ˈfəːstli/, U.S. /ˈfərstli/ A. adv.† 1. For the first time; = first adv. 2. Obsolete.† 3. In the beginning, originally; = first adv. 1b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > firstness > [adverb] > for the first time
firstc1180
firstlyc1380
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 276 Siþþen to gaddre we furstly knewe, neuere ous two to sterte; We habbeþ be felawes gode & trewe, in body & eke on herte.
2. In the first place, before anything else; as the first thing to be mentioned or considered.Chiefly used in enumerating points, divisions, topics, etc., in discourse. Many writers on style have expressed a preference for first (see first adv. 1c), even though closely followed by secondly, thirdly, etc.In the 19th cent. frequently regarded as a neologism; with the comment in quot. 1847 compare e.g. B. H. Smart Walker Remodelled (1836) at First: ‘Some late authors use Firstly for the sake of its more accordant sound with secondly, thirdly, &c.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > firstness > [adverb]
erstc1260
firstlya1475
fust1907
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adverb] > near the beginning > first in order
firstlOE
aforewarda1200
firstlya1475
firstlins1827
a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) l. 21575 Expowne fyrst-lyk my desyr.
?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Eiv Fyrstly, premierment.
1562 J. Heywood Sixt Hundred Epigrammes xcvii, in Wks. sig. Ddivv Walke thou fyrstly, walke thou lastly: Walke in the walke that standth fastly.
1576 G. Gascoigne Droomme of Doomes Day ii. sig. H.ii Notwithstanding ye loue of God (in them) doeth ouer wey priuate loue, & they desire the honor and glorie of God both firstly, and finally.
1605 G. Buck Daphnis Polystephanos Pref. sig. B3 As for William the Conquerour there be many reasons why I should not begin with him..for firstly, he was a bastard,..hauing no title to the Crowne but violence.
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 393 The Adverb, Firstly, secondly, thirdly.
1726 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 22 Apr. (1966) II. 64 Firstly she was pleas'd to attack me in very Billingsgate language at a Masquerade.
1784 Polit. Mag. & Parl., Naval, Mil. & Lit. Jrnl. Feb. 85/3 Resolved firstly, That this meeting do approve of and confirm the Address to his Majesty.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality iv, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. II. 79 The consequence thereof..will be, firstly, that I will tweak thy proboscis, or nose.
1847 T. De Quincey Spanish Mil. Nun §5 First (for I detest your ridiculous and most pedantic neologism of firstly).
1857 W. E. Gladstone Oxf. Ess. 1 These objects are twofold: firstly, to promote [etc.].
1939 R. C. Lyness & E. R. Emmet Introd. Econ. iv. 38 The characteristics of a perfect market are, firstly, full information... Secondly, complete accessibility... Thirdly, full freedom of choice.
1968 Aristotelian Soc. Suppl. Vol. 42 99 Let us consider Leibniz's law firstly as a principle about the identity of individuals.
2005 Independent 26 July 28/3 Firstly, Blair must resign. We should then put a greater distance between ourselves and the USA.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > [adverb]
firstlOE
beginninglya1340
originally1430
firstly1605
initiallya1628
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. v. 181 To saue-vs, And salue the wounds th' old Serpent firstly gaue-vs.
a1646 J. Burroughes Saints Treasury (1654) 36 God the Father he is the principle of all good; all firstly comes from him, but it comes not from him immediatly.
B. n.
The word firstly used in making subdivisions of a subject; a first point or division in a discourse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > firstness > [noun] > first subdivision
firstly1699
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > figure of speech > figures of structure or thought > [noun] > transition from one subject to another > words marking subdivisions of subjects
firstly1699
secondly1759
1699 G. Farquhar Love & Bottle iv. ii. 43 They hate to hear a fellow in Church preach methodical Nonsense, with a Firstly, Secondly, and Thirdly.
1759 O. Goldsmith Enq. Present State Polite Learning xi The most diminutive son of fame..has his we and his us, his firstlies and his secondlies.
1846 J. R. Lowell Let. 16 June (1894) I. 113 In the next place (turn back a page or two and you will find that I have laid down a ‘firstly’).
1898 J. A. Adams in Advance (Chicago) 28 Apr. 578/1 Jesus was not given to firstlies and secondlies.
1962 J. G. Leyburn Scotch-Irish iii. xv. 290 The congregation knew what to expect of a preacher: if he did not develop his points logically and in order, with a firstly and secondly, and so on..he could hardly maintain respect.
2008 S. Whiteside tr. W. Bruhns My Father's Country (2009) 81 He really is his father's son, the same orderly handwriting, the same ordered mind with all those firstlies, secondlies, thirdlies.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.n.c1380