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

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

Mourn for the prince, who rose at morn   To seek and bless the firstling bud Of his own rose, and found the thorn,   Its point bedew'd with tears of blood.

From Literary Remains, Volume 1 by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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

For her the tender firstling tendrils grew;— Rich crop or meagre, what is that to you?

From Love's Comedy by C. H. (Charles Harold) Herford

When the firstling of the sheep was born, Aaron appeared and demanded it, for the firstborn belongs to the priest.

From The Legends of the Jews — Volume 3 by Paul Radin