英语翻译

det.,adv.
1 happening or coming before all other similar things or people; 1st:his first wife It was the first time they had ever met.I didn’t take the first bus.students in their first year at college your first impressions She resolved to do it at the first (= earliest) opportunity.King Edward I (= said as ‘King Edward the First’) the first of May / May 1st His second book is better than his first.
2 the most important or best:Your first duty is to your family.She won first prize in the competition.an issue of the first importance
there’s a first time for everything (saying,humorous) the fact that sth has not happened before does not mean that it will never happen—more at order n.
adv.
1 before anyone or anything else; at the beginning:‘Do you want a drink?’ ‘I’ll finish my work first.’ First I had to decide what to wear.Who came first in the race (= who won)?It plunged nose first into the river.
2 for the first time:When did you first meet him?
3 used to introduce the first of a list of points you want to make in a speech or piece of writing firstly:This method has two advantages:first it is cheaper and second it is quicker.
4 used to emphasize that you are determined not to do sth:She swore that she wouldn’t apologize—she’d die first!
at first at or in the beginning:I didn’t like the job much at first.At first I thought he was shy,but then I discovered he was just not interested in other people.(saying) If at first you don’t succeed,try,try again.note at firstly
come first to be considered more important than anything else:In any decision she makes,her family always comes first.
first and foremost more than anything else:He does a little teaching,but first and foremost he’s a writer.
first and last in every way that is important; completely:She regarded herself,first and last,as a musician.
first come,first served (saying) people will be dealt with,seen,etc.strictly in the order in which they arrive:Tickets are available on a first come,first served basis.
first of all
1 before doing anything else; at the beginning:First of all,let me ask you something.
2 as the most important thing:The content of any article needs,first of all,to be relevant to the reader.note at firstly
first off (informal,especially BrE) before anything else:First off,let’s see how much it’ll cost.
first up (BrE,informal) to start with; before anything else
put sb/sth first to consider sb/sth to be more important than anyone/anything else:She always puts her children first.—more at foot n.,head n.,safety
noun
1 the first [C] (pl.the first) the first person or thing mentioned; the first person or thing to do a particular thing:I was the first in my family to go to college.Sheila and Jim were the first to arrive.I’d be the first to admit (= I will most willingly admit) I might be wrong.The first I heard about the wedding (= the first time I became aware of it) was when I saw it in the local paper.
2 [C,usually sing.] an achievement,event,etc.,never done or experienced before:We went on a cruise,a first for both of us.
3 (also first gear) [U] the lowest gear on a car,bicycle,etc.that you use when you are moving slowly:He stuck the car in first and revved.
4 [C] (in sth) the highest level of university degree at British universities:She got a first in maths at Exeter.—compare second,third
first among equals the person or thing with the highest status in a group
from the (very) first from the beginning:They were attracted to each other from the first.
from first to last from beginning to end; during the whole time:It’s a fine performance that commands attention from first to last.