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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

firstling

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

From Time Magazine Archive

At shearing who'd prefer Horsehair to wool? or when the goat stood handy, suffer her To nurse her firstling, and himself go milk a blatant cur?

From Theocritus, translated into English Verse by Theocritus

It was a glorious day, the firstling of the summer.

From The History of David Grieve by Mrs. Humphry Ward

And when the season of frost comes on, stitch together skins of firstling kids with ox-sinew, to put over your back and to keep off the rain.

From Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica by Hugh G. (Hugh Gerard) Evelyn-White

Many a firstling of verse found its way to her, inscribed with reverent or loving words by the author.

From Julia Ward Howe 1819-1910 by Maud Howe Elliott

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