first sergeant
    n 1: a sergeant in the Army above the rank of staff sergeant and
         below master sergeant [syn: first sergeant, sergeant
         first class]

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]