FIRSTLY

first, firstly, foremost, first of all, first off

(adverb) before anything else; “first we must consider the garter snake”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adverb

firstly (not comparable)

(formal) In the first place; before anything else; first.

Usage notes

• Whether it is proper to use "firstly", rather than "first", has often been disputed.

Beginning in the early 19th century, some have argued against the use of "firstly", advocating the sequence: "First", "secondly", "thirdly", ....

The usage of "firstly" is also deprecated by some modern style guides. The Chicago Manual of Style further recommends that all such -ly forms be avoided, and that list items begin only with "first", "second", and so forth.

Other authorities disagree.

The American Heritage Dictionary comments

The Oxford English Dictionary notes the dispute but does not pass judgment: "many writers prefer first, even though closely followed by secondly, thirdly, etc."

"Firstly" may appear more formal than "first" and is often recommended for the formal enumeration of arguments.

Synonyms

• 1stly, first, first of all, first up; see also firstly

Source: Wiktionary

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First"ly, adv.

Definition: In the first place; before anything else; -- sometimes improperly used for first.

FIRST

First, a. Etym: [OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin to Icel. fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. förste, OHG. furist, G. fürst 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.

2. Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.

3. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest; as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece. At first blush. See under Blush.

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

First, adv.

Definition: Before any other person or thing in time, space, rank, etc.; -- much used in composition with adjectives and participles. Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1 Tim. ii. 13. At first, At the first, at the beginning or origin.

– First or last, at one time or another; at the beginning or end. And all are fools and lovers first or last. Dryden.

First, n. (Mus.)

Definition: The upper part of a duet, trio, etc., either vocal or instrumental; -- so called because it generally expresses the air, and has a preëminence in the combined effect.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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