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first water

American  

noun

  1. (formerly) the highest degree of fineness in a diamond or other precious stone.

  2. the finest quality; highest rank.


first water British  

noun

  1. the finest quality of diamond or other precious stone

  2. the highest grade or best quality

  3. the most extreme kind

    a fool of the first water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of first water

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The return of Donald Campbell's Bluebird to the spot where the adventurer set his first water speed world record 70 years ago is "humbling", his daughter says.

From BBC Jul. 23, 2025

After their first water farm, they envision building more along the coast.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 21, 2025

Within a few days, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Guard, and local government had the first water station set up downtown.

From Slate Nov. 2, 2024

Tritium levels in the surrounding waters since the initial discharge have met pre-determined standards, according to tests conducted by Tepco, and no issues have been identified with the first water release, Matsumoto said.

From Reuters Oct. 5, 2023

At first, water would have to be brought from earth, and then it would have to be recycled so that it could be used over and over again.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

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