First a.
 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.   --Dickens.
 -- 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!   --Milton.
 -- 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. --Farrow.
 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.
 Syn: -- Primary; primordial; primitive; primeval; pristine; highest; chief; principal; foremost.
 first mate
      n : the officer below the master on a commercial ship [syn: mate]