The meaning of First

adjective

Forming or belonging to a bottom layer or base.

Usage examples:

Basal epidermal cells

adjective

Forming the bottom layer of something

Usage examples:

Cells in the basal layer of skin

adjective

Forming an essential foundation or starting point; fundamental.

Usage examples:

Certain basic rules must be obeyed

noun

The essential facts or principles of a subject or skill.

Usage examples:

I learnt the basics of programming on a course

noun

A simple high-level computer programming language that uses familiar english words, designed for beginners and formerly used widely.

Usage examples:

You could write your own software in the basic programming language

noun

The point in time or space at which something begins.

Usage examples:

He left at the beginning of february

verb

Perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity).

Usage examples:

Peter had just begun a life sentence for murder

noun

A leading dignitary of the roman catholic church. cardinals are nominated by the pope, and form the sacred college which elects succeeding popes (now invariably from among their own number).

Usage examples:

His appointment as cardinal

adjective

Of the greatest importance; fundamental.

Usage examples:

Two cardinal points must be borne in mind

noun

A priest of high rank in the roman catholic church

Usage examples:

Finding food was a cardinal concern.

adjective

At the point or in the area that is in the middle of something.

Usage examples:

The station has a central courtyard

noun

A place with a high concentration of a specified type of person or thing.

Usage examples:

You're in workaholic central here

adjective

In, at, from, or near the center

Usage examples:

He grew up in central illinois., american novels often take money as their central concern., a cent…

noun

A leader or ruler of a people or clan.

Usage examples:

The chief of the village

adjective

Most important.

Usage examples:

The chief reason for the spending cuts

adjective

Most important

Usage examples:

Their chief objection to the appointment was that she had no judicial experience., the chief econom…

adjective

Happening or done before the usual or expected time.

Usage examples:

We ate an early lunch

adverb

Before the usual or expected time.

Usage examples:

I was planning to finish work early today

noun

Potatoes which are ready to be harvested before the main crop.

Usage examples:

The versatile early potato solanum tuberosum has many varieties, which have their own distinct seas…

adjective

Forming an essential or typical feature; fundamental.

Usage examples:

Failure is always apparent at this elemental level

noun

A supernatural entity or force thought to be physically manifested by occult means.

Usage examples:

Gods and elementals looked out upon the worshippers

adjective

Basic or simple but strongly felt

Usage examples:

Elemental needs/desires

adjective

Absolutely necessary; extremely important.

Usage examples:

It is essential to keep up-to-date records

noun

A thing that is absolutely necessary.

Usage examples:

We only had the bare essentials in the way of equipment

adjective

Extremely important or necessary

Usage examples:

A knowledge of spanish is essential for this job., there is an essential difference between the two…

adjective

Most prominent in rank, importance, or position.

Usage examples:

One of the foremost art collectors of his day

adverb

Before anything else in rank, importance, or position; in the first place.

Usage examples:

It was, foremost, the first unequivocal demonstration of the process

adjective

Best known or most important

Usage examples:

He was one of the foremost actors of his day.

noun

The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level.

Usage examples:

Foundations were being dug for a block of flats

noun

The base that is built below the surface of the ground to support a building

Usage examples:

A concrete foundation, fig. the two leaders have laid the foundations of a new era of cooperation b…

noun

An organization that has been started in order to provide money for a particular group of people or for a particular type of research

Usage examples:

He gave £1m to set up a charitable foundation to help vulnerable young people., he helped lead the …

adjective

Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.

Usage examples:

The protection of fundamental human rights

noun

A central or primary rule or principle on which something is based.

Usage examples:

Two courses cover the fundamentals of microbiology

adjective

Being the most basic or most important thing on which other things depend

Usage examples:

Fundamental beliefs/principles, we need to make fundamental changes in the way we treat our environ…

adjective

Of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average.

Usage examples:

The article was of great interest

noun

An important or distinguished person.

Usage examples:

The beatles, bob dylan, all the greats

adverb

Very well; excellently.

Usage examples:

We played awful, they played great

adjective

Of great vertical extent.

Usage examples:

The top of a high mountain

adverb

At or to a considerable or specified height.

Usage examples:

The sculpture stood about five feet high

noun

A high point, level, or figure.

Usage examples:

Commodity prices were at a rare high

adjective

Existing or occurring at the beginning.

Usage examples:

Our initial impression was favourable

noun

The first letter of a name or word, typically a person's given name or a word forming part of a phrase.

Usage examples:

They carved their initials into the tree trunk

verb

Mark or sign (a document) with one's initials in order to authorize or validate it.

Usage examples:

The man initialled the three warrants

adjective

Serving as an introduction to a subject or topic; basic or preliminary.

Usage examples:

A two-day introductory course

adjective

Coming before something else

Usage examples:

Introductory remarks

adjective

An introductory price, offer, etc. is only available for a short period of time, when a product or service is first available or when a customer first buys or starts using something

Usage examples:

An introductory bonus/deal/discount these rates include an introductory bonus of 0.5% for the first…

noun

A small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it.

Usage examples:

There were two keys to the cupboard

adjective

Of crucial importance.

Usage examples:

She became a key figure in the suffragette movement

verb

Enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard or telephone keypad.

Usage examples:

Not everyone can key data quickly and accurately

adjective

Most important.

Usage examples:

A number of leading politicians

noun

Guidance or leadership, especially in a spiritual context.

Usage examples:

Things can be learned in many ways (spiritual leading is one way you pointed).

noun

The amount of blank space between lines of print.

Usage examples:

Most scrapbookers don't know what kerning or leading are and how to adjust them accordingly.

adjective

Chief in size or importance.

Usage examples:

A main road

noun

A principal pipe carrying water or gas to buildings, or taking sewage from them.

Usage examples:

A faulty gas main

noun

(in the game of hazard) a number (5, 6, 7, 8, or 9) called by a player before dice are thrown.

adjective

Important, serious, or significant.

Usage examples:

The use of drugs is a major problem

noun

A rank of officer in the army and the us air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.

Usage examples:

One e-mail avowed that too many majors and lieutenant colonels flounder in their first joint assign…

verb

Short for major suit.

Usage examples:

South was anxious to mention his four-card major and bid one spade

noun

A space or gap that allows passage or access.

Usage examples:

An opening in the roof would get rid of the smoke

adjective

Coming at the beginning of something; initial.

Usage examples:

She stole the show with her opening remark

verb

Move (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and vision.

Usage examples:

She opened the door and went in

adjective

Present or existing from the beginning; first or earliest.

Usage examples:

The original owner of the house

noun

The earliest form of something, from which copies may be made.

Usage examples:

The portrait may be a copy of the original

noun

The first one made and not a copy

Usage examples:

Send a copy of your receipt, but keep the original., the original plans have been changed., our tea…

adjective

Exceptionally good.

Usage examples:

The team's outstanding performance

Of major significance or importance

adjective

More important than any other considerations.

Usage examples:

The overriding concern of the organizers was the financial crisis

verb

Use one's authority to reject or cancel (a decision, view, etc.).

Usage examples:

The courts will ultimately override any objections

adjective

More important than anything else; supreme.

Usage examples:

The interests of the child are of paramount importance

proper noun

A city in south-western california, south-east of los angeles; population 55,236 (est. 2008).

adjective

More important than anything else

Usage examples:

Everybody agrees that education is the paramount issue.

adjective

More important or better than others

Usage examples:

She is the pre-eminent authority in her subject.

adjective

Present as the strongest or main element.

Usage examples:

The predominant colour was white

adjective

First in importance, order, or position; leading.

Usage examples:

Germany's premier rock band

noun

A prime minister or other head of government.

Usage examples:

The premier told the president that failure to co-operate with the hague would have disastrous cons…

adjective

Best or most important

Usage examples:

He was widely regarded as one of the world’s premier authorities on heart disease., the premier of …

adjective

Existing at a particular time; current.

Usage examples:

The unfavourable prevailing economic conditions

verb

Prove more powerful or superior.

Usage examples:

It is hard for logic to prevail over emotion

adjective

Existing and accepted

Usage examples:

The prevailing view is that economic growth is likely to slow down.

adjective

Of chief importance; principal.

Usage examples:

The government's primary aim is to see significant reductions in unemployment

noun

(in the us) a preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially presidential, election.

Usage examples:

These two republicans should win their primaries easily

verb

Former term for palaeozoic.

adjective

Of first importance; main.

Usage examples:

A nurse's prime concern is the well-being of the patient

noun

The state or time of greatest vigour or success in a person's life.

Usage examples:

You're in the prime of life

verb

Make (something) ready for use or action.

Usage examples:

He grabbed a gun from a nearby wall and primed it

adjective

First in order of importance; main.

Usage examples:

The country's principal cities

noun

The most important or senior person in an organization or group.

Usage examples:

A design consultancy whose principal is based in san francisco

adjective

First in order of importance

Usage examples:

Iraq’s principal export is oil.

adjective

Involving or limited to basic principles.

Usage examples:

He received a rudimentary education

adjective

Only basic, and not deep or detailed

Usage examples:

She has only a rudimentary grasp of the language.

adjective

Highest in rank or authority.

Usage examples:

A unified force with a supreme commander

noun

A rich cream sauce.

Usage examples:

Chicken supreme

adjective

At the highest level

Usage examples:

The dictionary was called the supreme authority on all matters relating to the language., he was su…

noun

The highest or uppermost point, part, or surface of something.

Usage examples:

Doreen stood at the top of the stairs

adjective

Highest in position, rank, or degree.

Usage examples:

The top button of his shirt

verb

Exceed (an amount, level, or number); be more than.

Usage examples:

Losses are expected to top £100 m this year

adjective

Highest in physical position; highest.

Usage examples:

We watched a squirrel negotiate the topmost branches of a nearby tree

adjective

Highest

Usage examples:

We sat on the topmost step and waited.

adjective

Present participle of underlie.

verb

Be a significant cause or basis of (something) even if not necessarily manifest or obvious.

Usage examples:

The fundamental issue that underlies the conflict

adjective

Highest in place, rank, or importance.

Usage examples:

The uppermost windows

adverb

At or to the highest or most important position.

Usage examples:

Investors put environmental concerns uppermost on their list

adjective

In the highest position, or most important

Usage examples:

Her health is uppermost in my mind.

adjective

Most extreme; greatest.

Usage examples:

A matter of the utmost importance

noun

The greatest or most extreme extent or amount.

Usage examples:

A plot that stretches credulity to the utmost

adjective

Greatest or most or farthest

Usage examples:

Speed was of the utmost importance., he’s doing his utmost to disrupt the proceedings.

adjective

Absolutely necessary; essential.

Usage examples:

Secrecy is of vital importance

noun

The body's important internal organs.

Usage examples:

He felt the familiar knot contract in his vitals

adjective

Necessary or extremely important for the success or continued existence of something

Usage examples:

The existence of a strong opposition is vital to a healthy democracy., the kidneys play a vital rol…