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• A one
  A one

  adjective

  noting a vessel regarded by a shipping-classification society as being equipped to the highest standard and with equipment maintained in first-class condition.
• A-one
  A-one

  Also, A-1; A-number-one. First-class, of the best quality, as in This is an A-one steak. The term comes from Lloyd's, the British insurance company, which in its 1775 shipping register designated the condition of a ship's hull by a letter grade (A, B, etc.) and of its cables, anchor, and other equipment by a number grade (1, 2, etc.). By the early 1800s A-1, the best possible grade, was being transferred to anything of superior quality.

A one

American  

[ey wuhn] / ˈeɪ ˈwʌn /

Also A-one,

adjective

1. noting a vessel regarded by a shipping-classification society as being equipped to the highest standard and with equipment maintained in first-class condition.

2. Informal. Also A number one. first-class; excellent; superior.

   The meals there are A one.

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A-one Idioms  

1. Also, A-1; A-number-one. First-class, of the best quality, as in This is an A-one steak. The term comes from Lloyd's, the British insurance company, which in its 1775 shipping register designated the condition of a ship's hull by a letter grade (A, B, etc.) and of its cables, anchor, and other equipment by a number grade (1, 2, etc.). By the early 1800s A-1, the best possible grade, was being transferred to anything of superior quality.

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Etymology

Origin of A one

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

A one A-one

A one point during the week, an ad with a photo number projected on the Sphere read “J Balvin doesn’t need more friends.”

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 6, 2023

A "one size fits all" approach won't do.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2023

A one thousand Argentine pesos bill is shown inside a store, in Buenos Aires, Argentina July 29, 2022.

From Reuters ● Jul. 29, 2022

Despite his previously fruitless big-league cameos, McKinstry bounced back this season with a strong start in triple A, one of several Oklahoma City hitters swinging a hot bat of late.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2022

The hull sat on Panel A, one of four sides of the tetrahedron which brought Pathfinder to Mars.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

“Here, Tessie, take Callie’s leg. Okay, on three. A-one and a-two and a-three!”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

"As a matter of fact, so are we all, perfectly A-one," said Arthur.

From Aaron's Rod by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)

After which speech he felt that everything was all right—everything was A-one.

From Aaron's Rod by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)

He's ce'tainly got an A-one rep. as a cattle detective, and likewise as a man hunter.

From Mavericks by Raine, William MacLeod

"You'll make an A-one bake in the New Hebrides."

From The Wrecker by Stevenson, Robert Louis