"of the highest excellence," 1660s, from first (adj.) + rate (n.) in a specific sense "class of warships in the British Navy." As a mere emphatic statement expressing excellence, by 1812. Colloquially, as a quasi-adverb, 1844.
雙語(yǔ)例句
1. English has hurt me a thousand times, but I still regard it as my first love.
英語(yǔ)傷我千百遍，我待英語(yǔ)如初戀。
來(lái)自金山詞霸 每日一句
2. I picked first all the people who usually were left till last.
我先挑出了所有通常留到最后的人。
來(lái)自柯林斯例句
3. Their first car rolls off the production line on December 16.
他們的第一輛車于12月16日下線。
來(lái)自柯林斯例句
4. They were still arguing the toss about the first goal.
他們?nèi)栽跒榈谝粋€(gè)進(jìn)球爭(zhēng)論不休。
來(lái)自柯林斯例句
5. It is better to stretch the tight muscles first.