first

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

adj. earliest, original, prime; leading, chief, fundamental. —adv. firstly, originally, at first; before, ahead; sooner, rather. See beginning, priority, precedence.

II

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [Foremost in order]

Syn. beginning, original, earliest, primary, prime, primal, antecedent, anterior, initial, virgin, maiden, opening, introductory, inceptive, incipient, inaugural, premier, primeval, aboriginal, leading, in the beginning, front, head, rudimentary, fundamental.

Ant. last*, ultimate, final.

2. [Foremost in importance]

Syn. chief, greatest, prime, preeminent; see principal .

• in the first place,

Syn. firstly, initially, to begin with; see at first under first .

n.

Syn. beginning, outset, start, the word ""go''*; see origin 1 .

• at first,

Syn. in the beginning, initially, firstly, in the first place, at the outset, at the start, at the beginning, at the commencement, originally, to begin win, first off*, for openers*.

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) a.

1. earliest original, beginning, front, opening, maiden, initial, premiere, preceding, prior, antecedent, primal, primeval, rudimentary, elementary.

2. highest principal, chief, head, main, foremost, supreme, greatest, top, preeminent, dominant, capital, outstanding, ranking.

3. basic fundamental, rudimentary, primary, elementary, beginning.

ANT.: 1. last, latest, end, subsequent. 2. lowest, least, smallest. 3. advanced

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) adjective 1. Preceding all others in time: earliest, initial, maiden, original, pioneer, primary, prime, primordial. See START. 2. At or near the start of a period, development, or series: beginning, early, initial. See START. 3. Most important, influential, or significant: capital, cardinal, chief, foremost, key, leading, main, major, number one, paramount, premier, primary, prime, principal, top. See IMPORTANT.