First

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /fɜːst/

Definitions

1. The position or rank that comes before all others in order, sequence, or importance
2. The initial position in a sequence, indicating the highest importance or precedence in a given context
3. A ranking or status that is superior or leading among others in any orderly arrangement or significance

Etymology: The English word "first" is, in a sense, a worn-down superlative. Its Old English ancestor "fyrest" was built on the same root as "fore" and the suffix "-est," so the word literally means "foremost," the most before of all. The same ancient root, which carried the sense of "before" or "forward," also gave Latin "princeps," meaning "chief," and German "Fürst," meaning "prince," which originally meant something like "first (born)." A second, separate Old English word, "fyrst," meant a period of time or a respite, such as a truce or appointed span. It is cognate with modern German "Frist," meaning a deadline or term. The two words, one about position and one about time, have blended into a single spelling over the centuries, which is why "first" can mean both "at the front" and "at the beginning of a span of time."

Synonyms: initial, primary, foremost, leading, premier

Antonyms: last, final, subsequent, following, secondary