firstling

American  

[furst-ling] / ˈfɜrst lɪŋ /

noun

1. the first of its kind to be produced or to appear.

2. first offspring.

3. a first product or result.

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firstling British  

/ ˈfɜːstlɪŋ /

noun

1. the first, esp the first offspring

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Etymology

Origin of firstling

First recorded in 1525–35; first + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

More important than a firstling mother's age is her general health, the normality of her construction.

From Time Magazine Archive

The primrose I will pu’, the firstling o’ the year, And I will pu’ the pink, the emblem o’ my dear, For she’s the pink o’ womankind, and blooms without a peer.

From The Real Robert Burns by Hughes, J. L.

Abel saw in it only a "firstling of his flock."

From Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel and Selections from his Writings by Graham, Robert

But there is an interesting touch of nature in the words “the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb.”

From The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Exodus by Chadwick, G. A.

Then the scholar we are describing, the neglecter rather than the inspector of books, stuffs his volume with firstling violets, roses, and quadrifoils.

From The Book-Hunter A New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author by Burton, John Hill