Definition of first

The word "first" has a rich history that dates back to Old English. The term is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "furkaz," which was also the source of the Modern English word "fore." In Old English, the word "first" was written as "fyrst" and meant "at the beginning" or "prior in time." It was often used to indicate a position or sequence, as in "the first man" or "the first day." The word "first" has undergone significant changes over the centuries, with its spelling and meaning evolving to include more nuanced connotations. Despite these changes, the core sense of "first" as indicating a starting point or priority has remained a constant part of the English language. Today, "first" is a fundamental word in many contexts, from mathematics to politics to everyday conversation.