first

1. The person or thing in the first position.

   He was the first to complete the course.

2. The first gear of an engine.
3. Something that has never happened before; a new occurrence.

   This is a first. For once he has nothing to say.

4. First base

   There was a close play at first.

5. A first-class honours degree.
6. A first-edition copy of some publication.
7. A fraction of an integer ending in one.

   one forty-first of the estate

1. Preceding all others of a series or kind; the ordinal of one; earliest.

   I was the first runner to reach the finish line, and won the race.

2. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest.

   Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.

1. Before anything else; firstly.

   Clean the sink first, before you even think of starting to cook.

2. For the first time;

   I first witnessed a death when I was nine years old.

noun

Time; time granted; respite.