Search the Dictionary

Of the highest excellence; preëminent in quality, size, or estimation. Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the German. M. Arnold. Hermocrates . . . a man of first-rate ability. Jowett (Thucyd).

First brought forth; first in the order of nativity; eldest; hence, most excellent; most distinguished or exalted.

The first produce or offspring; -- said of animals, especially domestic animals; as, the firstlings of his flock. Milton.

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

An arm of the sea; a frith.

To make firm; to confirm, or ratify; esp. (Law),

Capable of being affirmed, asserted, or declared; -- followed by of; as, an attribute affirmable of every just man.

Confirmation; ratification; confirmation of a voidable act. This statute . . . in affirmance of the common law. Bacon.

One who affirms or asserts.

Confirmation of anything established; ratification; as, the affirmation of a law. Hooker.

Confirmative; ratifying; as, an act affirmative of common law.

In an affirmative manner; on the affirmative side of a question; in the affirmative; -- opposed to negatively.

Giving affirmation; assertive; affirmative. Massey.

One who affirms.

On fire.

See Saint Anthony's Fire, under Saint.

A low fire used in chemical operations.

A fire started ahead of a forest or prairie fire to burn only against the wind, so that when the two fires meet both must go out for lack of fuel.

To have or experience a back fire or back fires; -- said of an internal-combustion engine.

A signal fire; an alarm fire. Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide The glaring balefires blaze no more. Sir W. Scott.