'First name' definitions:

Definition of 'first name'

(from WordNet)
noun
The name that precedes the surname [syn: first name, given name, forename]

Definition of 'First name'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'first name'

From: GCIDE
  • Name \Name\ (n[=a]m), n. [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth. nam[=o], L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. n[=a]man. [root]267. Cf. Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal, Noun.]
  • 1. The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class. [1913 Webster]
  • Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. --Gen. ii. 19. [1913 Webster]
  • What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts. [1913 Webster]
  • His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. --Is. ix. 6. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction. [1913 Webster]
  • What men of name resort to him? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. --Eph. i. 21. [1913 Webster]
  • I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom. --1 Macc. iii. 14. [1913 Webster]
  • He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin. --Deut. xxii. 19. [1913 Webster]
  • The king's army . . . had left no good name behind. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family. [1913 Webster]
  • The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities. --Motley. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A person, an individual. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]
  • They list with women each degenerate name. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • Christian name. (a) The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name; in western countries, it is also called a first name. (b) A given name, whether received at baptism or not.
  • Given name. See under Given.
  • In name, in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name.
  • In the name of. (a) In behalf of; by the authority of. " I charge you in the duke's name to obey me." --Shak. (b) In the represented or assumed character of. "I'll to him again in name of Brook." --Shak.
  • Name plate, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.
  • Pen name, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or {nom de plume}. --Bayard Taylor.
  • Proper name (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing.
  • To call names, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations.
  • To take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths. --Ex. xx. 7. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination; epithet.
  • Usage: Name, Appellation, Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive term (called also agnomen or cognomen), used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc. [1913 Webster]