First name

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
first name
    n 1: the name that precedes the surname [syn: {first name},
         {given name}, {forename}]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Name \Name\ (n[=a]m), n. [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG.
   namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn,
   Goth. nam[=o], L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere,
   gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. n[=a]man.
   [root]267. Cf. {Anonymous}, {Ignominy}, {Misnomer},
   {Nominal}, {Noun}.]
   1. The title by which any person or thing is known or
      designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of
      an individual or a class.
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            Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that
            was the name thereof.                 --Gen. ii. 19.
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            What's in a name? That which we call a rose
            By any other name would smell as sweet. --Shak.
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   2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person
      or thing, on account of a character or acts.
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            His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
            mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of
            Peace.                                --Is. ix. 6.
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   3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation;
      fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable
      estimation; distinction.
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            What men of name resort to him?       --Shak.
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            Far above . . . every name that is named, not only
            in this world, but also in that which is to come.
                                                  --Eph. i. 21.
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            I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom. --1
                                                  Macc. iii. 14.
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            He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.
                                                  --Deut. xxii.
                                                  19.
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            The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.
                                                  --Clarendon.
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   4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family.
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            The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his
            name, came every day to pay their feigned
            civilities.                           --Motley.
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   5. A person, an individual. [Poetic]
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            They list with women each degenerate name. --Dryden.
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   {Christian name}.
      (a) The name a person receives at baptism, as
          distinguished from {surname}; baptismal name; in
          western countries, it is also called a {first name}.
      (b) A given name, whether received at baptism or not.

   {Given name}. See under {Given}.

   {In name}, in profession, or by title only; not in reality;
      as, a friend in name.

   {In the name of}.
      (a) In behalf of; by the authority of. " I charge you in
          the duke's name to obey me."            --Shak.
      (b) In the represented or assumed character of. "I'll to
          him again in name of Brook."            --Shak.

   {Name plate}, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name
      upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.

   {Pen name}, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or {nom
      de plume}. --Bayard Taylor.

   {Proper name} (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person,
      place, or thing.

   {To call names}, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by
      reproachful appellations.

   {To take a name in vain}, to use a name lightly or profanely;
      to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths. --Ex.
      xx. 7.
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   Syn: Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination;
        epithet.

   Usage: {Name}, {Appellation}, {Title}, {Denomination}. Name
          is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or
          letters by which a person or thing is known and
          distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for
          name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive
          term (called also {agnomen} or {cognomen}), used by
          way of marking some individual peculiarity or
          characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the
          Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out
          one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford,
          Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular
          bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the
          church of Christ is divided into different
          denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians,
          Presbyterians, etc.
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from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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   2. Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.
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   3. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest;
      as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.
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   {At first blush}. See under {Blush}.

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