Definitions for the word "first" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. a.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. a.
Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. a.
Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest; as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. adv.
Before any other person or thing in time, space, rank, etc.; -- much used in composition with adjectives and participles.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
The upper part of a duet, trio, etc., either vocal or instrumental; -- so called because it generally expresses the air, and has a preeminence in the combined effect.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. adj.
1 earliest in time or order (took the first bus). 2 foremost in rank or importance (first lord of the treasury). 3 most willing or likely (the first to admit it). 4 basic or evident (first principles). n. 1 (prec. By the) person or thing first mentioned or occurring. 2 first occurrence of something notable. 3 place in the first class in an examination. 4 first gear. 5 a first place in a race. B winner of this. adv. 1 before any other person or thing (first of all; first and foremost). 2 before someone or something else (get this done first). 3 for the first time (when did you first see her?). 4 in preference; rather (will see him damned first). at first at the beginning. At first hand directly from the original source.
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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