At first hand

At first hand
First First (f[~e]rst), a. [OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin to Icel. fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. f["o]rste, OHG. furist, G. f["u]rst prince; a superlatiye form of E. for, fore. See {For}, {Fore}, and cf. {Formeer}, {Foremost}.] 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. [1913 Webster]

2. Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others. [1913 Webster]

3. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest; as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece. [1913 Webster]

{At first blush}. See under {Blush}.

{At first hand}, from the first or original source; without the intervention of any agent. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • first-hand — also first|hand [ˌfə:stˈhænd US ˌfə:rst ] adj [only before noun] first hand experience/knowledge/account etc experience etc that has been learned or gained by doing something yourself or by talking to someone yourself →↑second hand ▪ journalists… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • first-hand or firsthand — first hand1 or first|hand [ ,fɜrst hænd ] adjective obtained directly from someone who is involved in something: first hand information a. gained by doing something yourself: first hand experience first hand or firsthand ,first hand 2 or… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • First hand — is obtained directly from the original source. The phrase may also refer to:* First Hand (album), the debut album released by Steven Curtis Chapman * First Hand Foundation, a non profit organisationee also* Second hand (disambiguation) * Third… …   Wikipedia

  • first-hand — ► ADJECTIVE & ADVERB ▪ from the original source or personal experience; direct: first hand knowledge. ● at first hand Cf. ↑at first hand …   English terms dictionary

  • First-hand — a. Obtained directly from the first or original source; hence, without the intervention of an agent; of information; as, a firsthand report; firsthand information; firsthand knowledge. Syn: direct, original. [1913 Webster] One sphere there is …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • first hand — first/second/third/hand phrase if you experience something first hand, you experience it yourself. If you experience something second hand or third hand, someone else tells you about it. Thesaurus: ways of describing involvement and… …   Useful english dictionary

  • First Hand Foundation — First Hand is a non profit, 501 (c)(3) organization supported by the generosity of Cerner Corporation, its associates, its business partners, and friends. The Foundation assists individual children who have clinical, health related needs and no… …   Wikipedia

  • first-hand — if you experience something first hand, you experience it yourself. I ve been a teacher for a long time, and have first hand experience of the way these students behave. (always before noun) …   New idioms dictionary

  • first|hand — «FURST HAND», adjective, adverb. from the original source; direct: »This is firsthand information (adj.). We got out information firsthand (adv.) …   Useful english dictionary

  • first-hand — see first hand …   English dictionary

  • first hand — also first hand, firsthand 1) ADJ: ADJ n First hand information or experience is gained or learned directly, rather than from other people or from books. School trips give children firsthand experience not available in the classroom. ADV: ADV… …   English dictionary

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