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A short homily or commentary on a passage of Scripture; as, the first postils were composed by order of Charlemagne.

One who rides and guides the first pair of horses of a coach or post chaise; also, one who rides one of the horses when one pair only is used. [Written also postillion.]

of the potato, supposed to be caused by a kind of mold (Peronospora infestans), which is first seen upon the leaves and stems. -- Potato weevil (Zoöl.), an American weevil (Baridius trinotatus) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop. -- Potato whisky, a st…

vers by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock.

rn by practice; to form a habit. They shall practice how to live secure. Milton. Practice first over yourself to reign. Waller.

A division of birds including those whose young are able to run about when first hatched.

The first name of a person, by which individuals of the same family were distinguished, answering to our Christian name, as Caius, Lucius, Marcus, etc.

To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. "Harm precedes not sin." Milton.

which the voters are allowed to indicate on their ballots their preference (usually their first and second choices) between two or more candidates for an office, so that if no candidate receives a majority of first choices the one receiving the greatest number of first and second choices together in nominated or electe…

An extra first toe, or rudiment of a toe, on the preaxial side of the hallux.

First fruits. [Obs.] Dryden.

First; chief; principal; as, the premier place; premier minister. Camden. Swift.

First; chief; as, a première danseuse. -- n. fem.; pl. -mières (F. pre*myâr").

Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.

The act of prenominating; privilege of being named first. Sir T. Browne.

Right of first choice.

An extra first digit, or rudiment of a digit, on the preaxial side of the pollex.

Having that first which ought to be last; inverted in order. [Obs.] The method I take may be censured as preposterous, because I thus treat last of the antediluvian earth, which was first in the order of nature. Woodward.

Precedence; preëminence; first rank. [Obs.] Then give me leave to have prerogative. Shak.

The first of the four pieces composing the dorsal part, or tergum, of a thoracic segment of an insect. It is usually small and inconspicuous.