| 释义 |
first
I. \ˈfərst, ˈfə̄st, ˈfəist\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fyrst; akin to Old High German & Old Saxon furist first, Old Norse fyrstr; superlative from the root of Old High German & Old Saxon furi before, for, Old Norse fyr; akin to Old English faran to go — more at fare
1.
a.
(1) : being number one in a countable series
< the first day >
: beginning a series — see number table
< the first volume >
< my first voyage >
(2) : being a type of grammatical declension or conjugation conventionally placed first in a standard arrangement of the types
(3) : being the lowest forward gear or speed in an automotive vehicle
b. : preceding all others : earliest in time
< the first to come >
< the first train leaves at noon >
c. : foremost in position : being in front of all others
< first in the race >
d.
(1) : foremost in rank, importance, or worth : chief
< of first importance >
< first in the hearts of his countrymen — Henry Lee >
< your first concern is to get well >
< the first American actor of our day — Lee Rogow >
(2) : highest or most prominent in carrying the melody among several voices or instruments of the same class
< first soprano >
< first violin >
(3) : having primary jurisdiction in the Mormon Church; especially : having jurisdiction throughout the church
< the first presidency >
e. : having precedence over colleagues of the same general grade or duties — used in titles
< first mate >
< first ballerina >
2. : smallest, slightest, or most rudimentary
< I haven't the first idea of what you mean >
3.
a. North : eager, anxious
< he was so first to hear about it >
b. dialect Britain : next, following — often used postpositively with expressions of time
< I'll come to see him Sunday first >
4.
a. : being between 0.51 and 1.50 on the magnitude scale — used of the magnitude of a star
b. : being 1.50 or brighter on the magnitude scale — used of the apparent visual magnitude of any of the 22 brightest stars in the sky
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fyrst, from fyrst, adjective
1. : before any or some other person or thing (as in time, space, rank, or importance) : as the first thing to be mentioned : to begin with
< I will pay you first, and then the others >
< first, I wish to consider the economic problem >
< first of all, let me say that I regard my opponent with great respect >
— often used with off
< first off, he was likely to get a shave and a haircut — S.E.Fletcher >
< first off, we heard a splendid performance of Haydn's Symphony — Philip Hamburger >
2. : for the first time
< we first met at a formal party >
3. : in preference to anything else : rather than do, be, or bear something : sooner
< surrender? we will die first >
4. North : just, only
< are you back already or are you first leaving >
III. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, from first, adjective
1.
a. : number one in a countable series
< the first of the month >
b. : the first part : beginning, outset
< the last of life for which the first was made — Robert Browning >
< from the first I disliked the man >
< at first I didn't know what to make of it >
c. : the first thing
< the first I knew, the fire had spread to the bedroom >
2. : the first occurrence or item of its kind
< out of doors marked “restricted” today flow the aviation firsts of tomorrow — First in Flight >
< Vermont has several educational firsts — American Guide Series: Vermont >
specifically : a first edition (as of a book)
3.
a. : the first gear or speed in an automotive vehicle
b. : first base
c. : unison : prime 8c
d. : prime 7
4.
a. : an article of commerce of the finest grade — usually used in plural
< clear unspotted skins graded as firsts >
b. : first class
< he took a first in classics >
c. : the winning place in a race or other sports contest
IV. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
: of or relating to the family of the president of the United States
< First Mother >
< First Daughter > |