first classn.adj.adv.

Brit.

/ˌfəːs(t) ˈklɑːs/,

/ˌfəːs(t) ˈklas/, U.S.

/ˌfərs(t) ˈklæs/

Forms: see first adj., adv., and n.² and class n. and adj.

Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: first adj., class n.

Etymology: < first adj. + class n. With use as adjective compare earlier first rate adj.

A. n. As two words.

a. The first of a series of classes in which things or persons are grouped (usually implying priority in importance).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > position or rank

headeOE

first class1616

first (second) chop1823

premier division1902

1616 B. Jonson Mercurie Vindicated in Wks. I. 1007 Call forth the creatures of the first classe, and let them moue to the harmony of our heat.

1629 E. Bolton Cities Aduocate iii. 26 Some such few others which may more specially stand in the first classe of the most generous mysteries.

1739 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 111/1 It is plain from the Conduct of Writers of the first Class.

1789 A. Young Jrnl. 17 Aug. in Trav. France (1792) i. 165 In the first class of French families..they undoubtedly are.

1803 F. W. Blagdon Paris as it Was I. xvi. 158 The grace of his pencil and his chiaro oscuro place Correggio in the first class of painters.

1868 Chromolithograph 28 Nov. 116/1 Herr Singer is a violinist of the first class.

1906 Publishers' Weekly 26 May 1443 (advt.) An all action sea tale of the first-class.

2010 D. K. Utley & C. J. Beeman Hist. Ahead ii. ix. 115 The plan seemed simple: build and promote a resort of the first class in the backwoods.

b. spec. (a) (British) the highest division in the results of a university examination (cf. class n. 6); (b) the highest grade of accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft.

ΚΠ

1807 E. Tatham Addr. to Convoc. Oxf. 15 In regard to the Schedule of the Three Classes, and particularly in regard to the First Class, there may be different opinions.

1846 Commercial Mag. Oct. 135 There is a first-class for those who are willing to pay for the superior comfort.

1899 Railway News 2 Sept. 379/2 In the first class there is a decrease of 1,563 passengers or 0.3 per cent.

1941 M. Tylecote Educ. Women Manch. Univ. ii. 54 Only five women graduated with honours in philosophy before 1914 (three being placed in the first class).

1948 Times 14 Dec. 2/5 The liner is to carry 5,500 tons of measurement cargo (including motor-cars), 750 passengers in the first class and the same number in the tourist B class.

2002 Brit. Jrnl. Hist. Sci. 197 197 Sidgwick was placed in the first class of the Honour School of Natural Sciences.

2. In elliptical uses.

a. British. A place in the highest division in the results of a university examination; a person who has obtained such a place.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun] > marks > specific marks

accessit1753

honour1774

credit1802

second class1810

firsta1830

first class1830

third class1844

Hons.1850

max1851

second1852

special mention1886

distinction?1890

A1892

E1892

pass mark1894

two-two1895

alpha1898

alpha plus1898

gamma1898

beta1902

delta1911

alpha minus1914

fourth1914

straight A1926

two-one1937

lower second1960

honourable mention2011

1830 Law Mag. 1 447 At Oxford he took a double-first class.

1838 Brit. Mag. & Monthly Reg. 6 100 There was no double First-Class [Referring to Oxford].

1859 F. W. Farrar Julian Home xv. 186 My getting a first class in the May examination.

1860 J. R. Green Let. 3 July (1901) i. 44 Which caused Jenkins to explain that ‘the Bishop was a first-class in mathematics, you know’.

1885 Oxf. Univ. Cal. 40 Candidates must have obtained..a First Class in Litt. Gr. et Lat. at the First Public Examination.

1887 F. Pollock Remembrances I. ii. 46 For this he was amply qualified, having been a first-class in the classical tripos.

1954 Wadham Coll. Gaz. Trinity Term 124 Mr. Gotlieb came as a Rhodes Scholar from Manitoba to Christ Church and took a First Class in the B.C.L.

2002 R. J. Howarth & B. E. Leake Life Frank Coles Phillips iii. 5/1 The following year, he obtained a first class in the Mathematical Tripos, Part I.

b. First-class accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft; a section, cabin, or carriage of first-class accommodation; (also) the first-class fare.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [noun] > class of passenger accommodation

first class1841

second class1844

third class1844

tourist1936

tourist class1936

business class1962

1841 Punch 16 Oct. 159/1 The terms proposed for effecting their policies will be ten-and-a-half per cent. under the first class.

1852 H. W. Dulcken tr. I. L. Pfeiffer Visit Holy Land, Egypt, & Italy i. 23 The first-class to Constantinople costs 120 florins.

1862 G. Borrow Wild Wales II. x. 105 Your honour can step into a first-class for Bangor.

1930 E. Pound Draft of XXX Cantos xviii. 82 And Mr. Oige was very choleric in a first-class From Nice to Paris.

1988 C. Chapman & R. Starkman On Edge x. 165 But it was interesting to notice there was definitely a first class on those planes, as well.

2000 A. J. Coale Autobiography xiii. 90 I felt conspicuous as I walked back through first class to my seat in tourist.

3. A category or class of mail which is prioritized in some way; now esp. (in the United States) the class of mail that is used for lighter items, typically letters; (in Britain) the class of mail that commands a higher charge for faster delivery. Also: a postal service transporting this type of mail. Cf. sense B. 2c.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > correspondence > letter > mail > [noun] > type of

first class1863

second class1863

local1879

third class1891

registered1914

junk mail1921

direct mail1930

mailing shot1936

V-Mail1942

sea-mail1951

hate mail1954

certified mail1955

Mailgram1969

1863 Act relating to Post Office Dept. c. 71 §20 in Acts & Resol. 3rd Session of 37th Congr. (U.S.) 94 Mailable matter shall be divided into three classes, namely: first, letters; second, regular printed matter; third, miscellaneous matter... The first class embraces all correspondence, wholly or partly in writing.

1899 Yearbk. U.S. Dept. Agric. 1898 First class is everything mailable which bears handwriting or typewriting other than the addresses of the sender and person addressed.

1969 Hansard Lords (Electronic ed.) 11 Feb. 400 This the two-tier system was designed to achieve, and the forecast made before it was introduced, of 32 per cent. in the first-class and 68 per cent. in the second, was in practice very near the mark.

1971 Times 15 Feb. 1/2 Losses from the stoppage..will rise to £700,000 a day from today when letter rates go up to 3p for first class and 2½p for second class.

1998 Daily Mail (Nexis) 25 Mar. 5 The cost of sending letters is to be pegged at 26p for first class and 20p for second until at least April next year.

2010 C. F. Michaels Compl. Idiot's Guide selling Crafts vii. 76 First Class is a faster method, with a typical delivery time of two to four days, but it's only available for packages with a maximum weight of 13 ounces.

B. adj. Usually with hyphen.

a. Of the highest grade; of the best quality; belonging to the most important group.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adjective]

highestOE

bestOE

firstlOE

greatest?c1225

of the besta1350

premiera1500

paramount1530

supremec1550

supreme1571

primer1589

top1647

nulli secundus1742

bestest1751

first class1819

beatemest1831

par excellence1839

première1844

first rate1853

beatenest1860

blue ribbon1860

optimum1885

optimal1890

class A1906

all-star1908

grade A1911

five-star1931

mostest1936

tip-topmost1937

the end1950

the most1953

1819 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Dec. 500/1 She may stand Among the first-class poets of the land.

1851 R. Glisan Jrnl. 12 May (1874) viii. 82 A stream powerful enough for a first-class water power.

1858 R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma xlv. 199 First-class servants who had fallen into second-class circumstances.

1872 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 147 The first-class ores were shipped to Reno and San Francisco.

1879 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times II. xxviii. 351 Only one first class reputation of a military order had come out of the war.

1882 Harper's Mag. July 182/1 He had been private secretary to more than one minister, had mixed with ambassadors, and held for a brief period the position of chargé d'affaires in a first-class legation.

1909 A. L. Rotch Conquest of Air v. 176 The United States was alone among the other first-class powers to agree to prohibit..the discharge of projectiles and explosives from balloons.

1929 H. W. Haggard Devils, Drugs, & Doctors vi. 134 A first-class surgeon in the fifteenth century received two hundred dollars a year and twelve cents a day for expenses.

1946 J. Thurber Let. 24 Jan. (2002) 391 I was promised that these dresses would appear only in the very first-class shops, in about a dozen cities.

2001 Marketing Week 2 Aug. 7/4 We share a global footprint and a proven commitment to first class customer service.

b. colloquial. As a term of approval: superb, first-rate, admirable; in an excellent state or condition.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > very excellent or first-rate

gildenc1225

prime1402

rare1483

grand1542

holy1599

pre-excelling1600

paregal1602

classic1604

of (the) first rate1650

solary1651

first rate1674

superb1720

tip-top1722

tip-top-gallant1730

swell1819

topping1822

of the first (also finest, best, etc.) water1826

No. 11829

brag1836

A11837

A No. 11838

number one1839

awful1843

bully1851

first class1852

class1867

champion1880

too1881

tipping1887

alpha plus1898

bonzer1898

grade A1911

gold star1917

world-ranking1921

five-star1936

too much1937

first line1938

vintage1939

supercolossal1947

top1953

alpha1958

fantabulous1959

beauty1963

supercool1965

world-class1967

primo1973

1852 S. Sidney Three Colonies Austral. 411 That cove with the specs is a first-class swell in Melbourne.

1879 C. H. Spurgeon Serm. XXV. 90 When he was on the road to Damascus to hunt the saints, he was on first-class terms with himself.

1892 W. Watson Adventures Blockade Runner (2001) xiv. 188 One in particular..was a first-class stevedore, in fact, the best I ever saw.

1895 Month Feb. 197 She looks first-class and healthy.

1900 E. Hooker Dewey No-breakfast Plan & Fasting Cure xi. 129 Retired at 9 o'clock, feeling first class.

1931 B. Johnston Let. 25 Jan. in Lett. Home 1926–45 (1998) 60 May I thank you for such very good holidays: they were absolutely first-class.

1968 J. A. Michener Iberia iii. 98 I had chosen a table..next to a..ruddy-faced Englishman... As he finished his soup he said to his wife, ‘First class, absolutely first class.’

2007 Future Music Feb. 90/3 Not only does it sound first-class, but it's also a joy to use.

c. ironic. Of the worst or most extreme kind.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute > of something bad or reprobated

properc1430

arrant1639

erranta1720

defecated1796

unredeemed1799

blank1854

first class1868

prize1903

mucking1917

1868 in Soldiers' & Sailors' Half-dime Tales 174/1 I never seen a more first-class idiot in the course of my whole life.

1870 Z. A. Mudge Witch Hill iv. 50 The people of Salem Village were not dependent upon the presence of the Pastor for a first-class quarrel.

1897 E. A. Ross in Appletons' Pop. Sci. Monthly July 415/2 All the elements that go to make up a first-class ‘social problem’.

1931 R. Riskin Platinum Blonde in Six Screenplays (1997) 92 Why, you're just a first-class chump!

1955 ‘Miss Read’ Village School xvi. 149 These engaging young scoundrels can twist their doting parents round their fingers by coaxing, whining or throwing a first-class tantrum.

1976 J. I. M. Stewart Young Pattullo viii. 165 She was a third-class harlot who made up for it by being a first-class shit.

1984 T. C. Boyle Budding Prospects (1985) iii. viii.224 I was a first-class schmuck, an airhead, an oaf and a poltroon.

2003 D. J. Watts Six Degrees (2004) ix. 257 This was a first-class catastrophe, next to which even the giant Kobe earthquake..paled in comparison.

a. Of or belonging to the first class in a recognized series of grades; esp. (a) (British) relating to the highest division in the results of a university examination; (b) relating to the highest grade of accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [adjective] > specific class of passenger accommodation

first class1821

second-class1837

third class1839

business class1962

standard class1988

society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [adjective] > types of railway carriage or wagon > types of carriage or compartment

first class1821

stand-up1839

non-smoking1851

soft1928

no smoking1973

1821 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. June 254/1 The gold medal, and a first class degree, will, I fear, Fred. but little advance the great end I have in view.

1838 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. Sept. 324/1 Birmingham first class coach weighs 3 tons 17 cwt. 2 qrs... I have not weighed our second class open carriages.

1846 Commercial Mag. Oct. 133 His Lordship..refused to travel in the first-class carriages, and went as a second-class passenger.

1852 Ann. Reg. 207 A ‘composite’ carriage, the centre being a first-class compartment.

1869 E. Dunkin Midnight Sky 14 The first-class star Capella.

1870 C. Herschel in Prize Ess. Roads & Road Making 9 In treating of roads it often renders the subject much clearer, to divide them into three classes: first, second, and third class roads, or, as we might also say, state, county and town roads.

1882 Sat. Evening Post 27 May 13/3 A Kentucky railroad has been fined $1,000 for put putting a colored woman, with a first-class ticket, into a smoking car.

1931 Times Lit. Suppl. 26 Mar. 246/3 After 1894 the R.M.A. were no longer sent to sea in small craft, but assigned only to first-class ships and flagships.

1996 C. J. Stone Fierce Dancing iii. 49 Through the buffet car and into the first-class carriages with their pale-maroon seats and headrest covers.

2010 Guardian 26 Aug. 34/1 After gaining a first-class honours degree in 1937, Freeman continued at Imperial as a demonstrator.

b. Cricket. Designating cricket matches officially classified as being of the highest grade by virtue of the standard or stature of the competing teams, typically (now always) scheduled to consist of two innings per side and last for three or more days; relating to or participating in matches of this kind.In early use often distinguishing representative county or regional matches played according to the Laws of Cricket from less formal club matches. From the late 19th cent., most commonly referring to matches in the main professional tournament in a major cricketing nation. Test cricket (see test n.¹ 2c) is a form of first-class cricket, although first-class is often also restricted to non-international matches and used in contrast with Test (see, e.g., quot. 2010). From the mid 20th cent., first-class matches are also contrasted with limited-overs matches (see limited-over adj.).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > [adjective] > type of match

first class1844

out1875

limited-over1947

1844 Standard 19 June 4/4 Gentlemen of Kent v. Gentlemen of England. This match, which for many years has been one of the most stirring of the season, in reference to the interest which the first-class matches excite.

1863 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 4 Apr. 10/3 A club is being formed, under the auspices of the Sheffield United Cricket Club, solely for the purpose of getting up first class county matches.

1915 Amer. Cricketer July 159/1 In Test matches Hill beat him by nearly 6 runs on average—it was a case of 36.85 against 30.87, but in first-class cricket generally averaged 48.49.

1945 Daily. Tel. 7 Aug. 3/4 Besides the Test at Lord's, eight first-class counties put teams in the field.

2010 P. Donnelley Firsts, Lasts & Onlys 128 He..did not play Test cricket again until 1946... Apart from his first innings, he never managed to recapture his First Class form on the Test arena.

c. With reference to postal services.

(a) U.S. Originally: designating or relating to a class of mail comprising letters and postcards and given priority over other types of printed matter (such as periodicals, advertisements, etc.). Now: designating or relating to the default delivery service for any item of mail weighing up to 13 ounces (approx. 368 grams).Four classes for mail were introduced to the U.S. postal service in 1863, but the other three have subsequently been renamed; further priority rates are also now available.

ΚΠ

1869 Statutes relating to Postal Service Contents x. 30 Division of mail matter... First-class matter.

1881 Amer. Almanac 378 First class mail matter... This class includes letters, postal cards, and anything sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.

1915 Printers' Ink 18 Feb. 53/2 First-class mail is handled with the utmost dispatch and care... Second-class matter is delivered at the post-office by the publisher at his own expense.

1957 ABA Jrnl. Apr. 351/2 The Court concluded that the placing of first-class postage on mail would indicate the sender's intention that it not be opened and inspected at will.

1983 Pop. Mech. May 71/2 (advt.) Allow three to four weeks for delivery by third-class mail. If you prefer faster, first-class mail add 75 cents.

2011 J. Peragine & C. Russell eBay Income (ed. 2) 299 First Class items can be in envelopes or small packages, but there is a maximum weight restriction of 13 ounces.

(b) British. Designating or relating to mail that is prioritized for fast delivery and which commands a higher delivery charge than second-class mail (see second-class mail at second-class adj. 1b) .A two-class postal system was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1968, although further special rates have subsequently been added.

ΚΠ

1968 Times 19 Mar. 2/1 A two-tier system providing a first class letter service for 4d.

1988 J. Trollope Choir vii. 120 ‘Six first class stamps,’ Janet Young said through the grille, ‘and this parcel second class please.’

1998 Time 19 Jan. 46/1 Electronic mail is zapping first-class deliveries, the system's most profitable service.

2003 Holiday Which? Spring 72/3 The quickest option is the fast-track service, which guarantees that your passport will be sent by first-class post within one week.

†3. U.S. Designating an employee of the lowest or least important grade or receiving the lowest salary. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1865 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 327/2 A sum equal to the year's salary of a first-class clerk.

1865 Union (Georgetown, Delaware) 11 Aug. 1/4 Two third class clerks at annual salaries of sixteen hundred dollars each, and one first class clerk at an annual salary of three hundred dollars.

C. adv.

1. Using first-class accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [adverb] > by specific class of accommodation

first class1846

second-class1863

third class1863

first1868

business class1962

1846 Herapath's Railway & Commerc. Jrnl. 14 Feb. 229/3 If they took day-tickets..they might now travel first-class, 26s. 6d., or 18s. 6d. second-class.

1847 Illustr. London News 22 May 328 (caption) Epsom races—1847. The railway—first class.

1885 Sat. Rev. 7 Feb. 166/1 Most of us have no wish to cheat railway Companies by travelling first class at third-class prices.

1953 D. Whipple Someone at Distance ix. 77 It was pleasant to be travelling first-class and pleasant to think other people were paying for it.

1999 J. Cope Repossessed 105 It was the first time in my life that I had flown first class.

2. nonstandard. Excellently, very well indeed. Cf. first rate adv. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb]

fairlyOE

goodlyc1275

finec1330

properlyc1390

daintily?a1400

thrivinglya1400

goodlily?1457

excellent1483

excellently1527

excellently1529

curiously1548

jollilyc1563

admirably1570

beautifully1570

singularly1576

bravelyc1600

famouslya1616

manlya1616

primely1622

prime1648

eximiously1650

topping1683

egregiously1693

purely1695

trimmingly1719

toppinglya1739

surprisingly1749

capitally1750

brawly1796

jellily18..

stammingly1814

divinely1822

stunningly1823

rippingly1828

jam up1835

out of sight1835

first-rately1843

first rate1844

like a charm1845

stunning1851

marvellously1859

magnificently1868

first class1871

splendidly1883

sterlingly1883

tip-top1888

like one o'clock1901

deevily1905

goodo1907

dandy1908

bonzer1914

great1916

juicily1916

corkingly1917

champion1925

unbeatably1928

snodger1946

beaut1953

smashingly1956

groovily1970

awesome1984

1871 in 23rd Ann. Rep. Poor Law Board App. 228 in Parl. Papers (C. 396) XXVII. 1 The schoolmaster takes great pains in instructing me in algebra and plane trigonometry, and I am getting on first class.

1908 M. E. Mann Sheaf of Corn 24 ‘And how are you getting on?’ ‘First class, sir.’

3. Using first-class mail or post. See sense B. 2c.

ΚΠ

1888 Life 1 Nov. 248/1 Give me a two-cent stamp, and I'll send it first-class.

1943 Pop. Mech. Nov. 22 a/2 (advt.) Enclose your letter and sealed envelope in regular mailing envelope and mail first class.

1967 1st Rep. Sel. Comm. Nationalized Industries: Post Office II. 440 in Parl. Papers 1966–7 (H.C. 340-I) XVII. 411 If postage rates were similar to those today.., at least 50 per cent. of business mail would be sent first class.

1998 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Electronic ed.) 6 May 30 I posted a parcel first class to London on April 3 for my grandchildren's Easter. It never arrived.

2013 Richmond (Va.) Times Disp. (Nexis) 7 Feb. a5 Mail weighing less than 13 ounces can be sent first class.

Compounds

first-class man n. (also first-classman) now historical a man achieving a first-class result in an examination.

ΚΠ

1819 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Aug. 604/1 This, sir, is Bob Buller of Brazennose—first-class-man, sir, both in Litt. Hum. and Class. Phys.

1871 S. Smiles Character ii. 33 A first-classman at Oxford.

1913 G. W. E. Russell Half-lengths (1970) v. 161 It was said of the Emancipator that he was the only man in England who had three sons first-class men at Oxford.

1997 S. Rothblatt Mod. University & Discontents (2009) iv. 217 We have no firm idea of how many ‘first-class men’ or high seconds fell short of achieving place and reputation in British society.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	first class
释义	first classn.adj.adv. Brit. /ˌfəːs(t) ˈklɑːs/, /ˌfəːs(t) ˈklas/, U.S. /ˌfərs(t) ˈklæs/ Forms: see first adj., adv., and n.² and class n. and adj. Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: first adj., class n. Etymology: < first adj. + class n. With use as adjective compare earlier first rate adj. A. n. As two words. 1. a. The first of a series of classes in which things or persons are grouped (usually implying priority in importance). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > position or rank headeOE first class1616 first (second) chop1823 premier division1902 1616 B. Jonson Mercurie Vindicated in Wks. I. 1007 Call forth the creatures of the first classe, and let them moue to the harmony of our heat. 1629 E. Bolton Cities Aduocate iii. 26 Some such few others which may more specially stand in the first classe of the most generous mysteries. 1739 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 111/1 It is plain from the Conduct of Writers of the first Class. 1789 A. Young Jrnl. 17 Aug. in Trav. France (1792) i. 165 In the first class of French families..they undoubtedly are. 1803 F. W. Blagdon Paris as it Was I. xvi. 158 The grace of his pencil and his chiaro oscuro place Correggio in the first class of painters. 1868 Chromolithograph 28 Nov. 116/1 Herr Singer is a violinist of the first class. 1906 Publishers' Weekly 26 May 1443 (advt.) An all action sea tale of the first-class. 2010 D. K. Utley & C. J. Beeman Hist. Ahead ii. ix. 115 The plan seemed simple: build and promote a resort of the first class in the backwoods. b. spec. (a) (British) the highest division in the results of a university examination (cf. class n. 6); (b) the highest grade of accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft. ΚΠ 1807 E. Tatham Addr. to Convoc. Oxf. 15 In regard to the Schedule of the Three Classes, and particularly in regard to the First Class, there may be different opinions. 1846 Commercial Mag. Oct. 135 There is a first-class for those who are willing to pay for the superior comfort. 1899 Railway News 2 Sept. 379/2 In the first class there is a decrease of 1,563 passengers or 0.3 per cent. 1941 M. Tylecote Educ. Women Manch. Univ. ii. 54 Only five women graduated with honours in philosophy before 1914 (three being placed in the first class). 1948 Times 14 Dec. 2/5 The liner is to carry 5,500 tons of measurement cargo (including motor-cars), 750 passengers in the first class and the same number in the tourist B class. 2002 Brit. Jrnl. Hist. Sci. 197 197 Sidgwick was placed in the first class of the Honour School of Natural Sciences. 2. In elliptical uses. a. British. A place in the highest division in the results of a university examination; a person who has obtained such a place. ΘΚΠ society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun] > marks > specific marks accessit1753 honour1774 credit1802 second class1810 firsta1830 first class1830 third class1844 Hons.1850 max1851 second1852 special mention1886 distinction?1890 A1892 E1892 pass mark1894 two-two1895 alpha1898 alpha plus1898 gamma1898 beta1902 delta1911 alpha minus1914 fourth1914 straight A1926 two-one1937 lower second1960 honourable mention2011 1830 Law Mag. 1 447 At Oxford he took a double-first class. 1838 Brit. Mag. & Monthly Reg. 6 100 There was no double First-Class [Referring to Oxford]. 1859 F. W. Farrar Julian Home xv. 186 My getting a first class in the May examination. 1860 J. R. Green Let. 3 July (1901) i. 44 Which caused Jenkins to explain that ‘the Bishop was a first-class in mathematics, you know’. 1885 Oxf. Univ. Cal. 40 Candidates must have obtained..a First Class in Litt. Gr. et Lat. at the First Public Examination. 1887 F. Pollock Remembrances I. ii. 46 For this he was amply qualified, having been a first-class in the classical tripos. 1954 Wadham Coll. Gaz. Trinity Term 124 Mr. Gotlieb came as a Rhodes Scholar from Manitoba to Christ Church and took a First Class in the B.C.L. 2002 R. J. Howarth & B. E. Leake Life Frank Coles Phillips iii. 5/1 The following year, he obtained a first class in the Mathematical Tripos, Part I. b. First-class accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft; a section, cabin, or carriage of first-class accommodation; (also) the first-class fare. ΘΚΠ society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [noun] > class of passenger accommodation first class1841 second class1844 third class1844 tourist1936 tourist class1936 business class1962 1841 Punch 16 Oct. 159/1 The terms proposed for effecting their policies will be ten-and-a-half per cent. under the first class. 1852 H. W. Dulcken tr. I. L. Pfeiffer Visit Holy Land, Egypt, & Italy i. 23 The first-class to Constantinople costs 120 florins. 1862 G. Borrow Wild Wales II. x. 105 Your honour can step into a first-class for Bangor. 1930 E. Pound Draft of XXX Cantos xviii. 82 And Mr. Oige was very choleric in a first-class From Nice to Paris. 1988 C. Chapman & R. Starkman On Edge x. 165 But it was interesting to notice there was definitely a first class on those planes, as well. 2000 A. J. Coale Autobiography xiii. 90 I felt conspicuous as I walked back through first class to my seat in tourist. 3. A category or class of mail which is prioritized in some way; now esp. (in the United States) the class of mail that is used for lighter items, typically letters; (in Britain) the class of mail that commands a higher charge for faster delivery. Also: a postal service transporting this type of mail. Cf. sense B. 2c. ΘΚΠ society > communication > correspondence > letter > mail > [noun] > type of first class1863 second class1863 local1879 third class1891 registered1914 junk mail1921 direct mail1930 mailing shot1936 V-Mail1942 sea-mail1951 hate mail1954 certified mail1955 Mailgram1969 1863 Act relating to Post Office Dept. c. 71 §20 in Acts & Resol. 3rd Session of 37th Congr. (U.S.) 94 Mailable matter shall be divided into three classes, namely: first, letters; second, regular printed matter; third, miscellaneous matter... The first class embraces all correspondence, wholly or partly in writing. 1899 Yearbk. U.S. Dept. Agric. 1898 First class is everything mailable which bears handwriting or typewriting other than the addresses of the sender and person addressed. 1969 Hansard Lords (Electronic ed.) 11 Feb. 400 This the two-tier system was designed to achieve, and the forecast made before it was introduced, of 32 per cent. in the first-class and 68 per cent. in the second, was in practice very near the mark. 1971 Times 15 Feb. 1/2 Losses from the stoppage..will rise to £700,000 a day from today when letter rates go up to 3p for first class and 2½p for second class. 1998 Daily Mail (Nexis) 25 Mar. 5 The cost of sending letters is to be pegged at 26p for first class and 20p for second until at least April next year. 2010 C. F. Michaels Compl. Idiot's Guide selling Crafts vii. 76 First Class is a faster method, with a typical delivery time of two to four days, but it's only available for packages with a maximum weight of 13 ounces. B. adj. Usually with hyphen. 1. a. Of the highest grade; of the best quality; belonging to the most important group. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adjective] highestOE bestOE firstlOE greatest?c1225 of the besta1350 premiera1500 paramount1530 supremec1550 supreme1571 primer1589 top1647 nulli secundus1742 bestest1751 first class1819 beatemest1831 par excellence1839 première1844 first rate1853 beatenest1860 blue ribbon1860 optimum1885 optimal1890 class A1906 all-star1908 grade A1911 five-star1931 mostest1936 tip-topmost1937 the end1950 the most1953 1819 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Dec. 500/1 She may stand Among the first-class poets of the land. 1851 R. Glisan Jrnl. 12 May (1874) viii. 82 A stream powerful enough for a first-class water power. 1858 R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma xlv. 199 First-class servants who had fallen into second-class circumstances. 1872 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 147 The first-class ores were shipped to Reno and San Francisco. 1879 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times II. xxviii. 351 Only one first class reputation of a military order had come out of the war. 1882 Harper's Mag. July 182/1 He had been private secretary to more than one minister, had mixed with ambassadors, and held for a brief period the position of chargé d'affaires in a first-class legation. 1909 A. L. Rotch Conquest of Air v. 176 The United States was alone among the other first-class powers to agree to prohibit..the discharge of projectiles and explosives from balloons. 1929 H. W. Haggard Devils, Drugs, & Doctors vi. 134 A first-class surgeon in the fifteenth century received two hundred dollars a year and twelve cents a day for expenses. 1946 J. Thurber Let. 24 Jan. (2002) 391 I was promised that these dresses would appear only in the very first-class shops, in about a dozen cities. 2001 Marketing Week 2 Aug. 7/4 We share a global footprint and a proven commitment to first class customer service. b. colloquial. As a term of approval: superb, first-rate, admirable; in an excellent state or condition. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > very excellent or first-rate gildenc1225 prime1402 rare1483 grand1542 holy1599 pre-excelling1600 paregal1602 classic1604 of (the) first rate1650 solary1651 first rate1674 superb1720 tip-top1722 tip-top-gallant1730 swell1819 topping1822 of the first (also finest, best, etc.) water1826 No. 11829 brag1836 A11837 A No. 11838 number one1839 awful1843 bully1851 first class1852 class1867 champion1880 too1881 tipping1887 alpha plus1898 bonzer1898 grade A1911 gold star1917 world-ranking1921 five-star1936 too much1937 first line1938 vintage1939 supercolossal1947 top1953 alpha1958 fantabulous1959 beauty1963 supercool1965 world-class1967 primo1973 1852 S. Sidney Three Colonies Austral. 411 That cove with the specs is a first-class swell in Melbourne. 1879 C. H. Spurgeon Serm. XXV. 90 When he was on the road to Damascus to hunt the saints, he was on first-class terms with himself. 1892 W. Watson Adventures Blockade Runner (2001) xiv. 188 One in particular..was a first-class stevedore, in fact, the best I ever saw. 1895 Month Feb. 197 She looks first-class and healthy. 1900 E. Hooker Dewey No-breakfast Plan & Fasting Cure xi. 129 Retired at 9 o'clock, feeling first class. 1931 B. Johnston Let. 25 Jan. in Lett. Home 1926–45 (1998) 60 May I thank you for such very good holidays: they were absolutely first-class. 1968 J. A. Michener Iberia iii. 98 I had chosen a table..next to a..ruddy-faced Englishman... As he finished his soup he said to his wife, ‘First class, absolutely first class.’ 2007 Future Music Feb. 90/3 Not only does it sound first-class, but it's also a joy to use. c. ironic. Of the worst or most extreme kind. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute > of something bad or reprobated properc1430 arrant1639 erranta1720 defecated1796 unredeemed1799 blank1854 first class1868 prize1903 mucking1917 1868 in Soldiers' & Sailors' Half-dime Tales 174/1 I never seen a more first-class idiot in the course of my whole life. 1870 Z. A. Mudge Witch Hill iv. 50 The people of Salem Village were not dependent upon the presence of the Pastor for a first-class quarrel. 1897 E. A. Ross in Appletons' Pop. Sci. Monthly July 415/2 All the elements that go to make up a first-class ‘social problem’. 1931 R. Riskin Platinum Blonde in Six Screenplays (1997) 92 Why, you're just a first-class chump! 1955 ‘Miss Read’ Village School xvi. 149 These engaging young scoundrels can twist their doting parents round their fingers by coaxing, whining or throwing a first-class tantrum. 1976 J. I. M. Stewart Young Pattullo viii. 165 She was a third-class harlot who made up for it by being a first-class shit. 1984 T. C. Boyle Budding Prospects (1985) iii. viii.224 I was a first-class schmuck, an airhead, an oaf and a poltroon. 2003 D. J. Watts Six Degrees (2004) ix. 257 This was a first-class catastrophe, next to which even the giant Kobe earthquake..paled in comparison. 2. a. Of or belonging to the first class in a recognized series of grades; esp. (a) (British) relating to the highest division in the results of a university examination; (b) relating to the highest grade of accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft. ΘΚΠ society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [adjective] > specific class of passenger accommodation first class1821 second-class1837 third class1839 business class1962 standard class1988 society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [adjective] > types of railway carriage or wagon > types of carriage or compartment first class1821 stand-up1839 non-smoking1851 soft1928 no smoking1973 1821 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. June 254/1 The gold medal, and a first class degree, will, I fear, Fred. but little advance the great end I have in view. 1838 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. Sept. 324/1 Birmingham first class coach weighs 3 tons 17 cwt. 2 qrs... I have not weighed our second class open carriages. 1846 Commercial Mag. Oct. 133 His Lordship..refused to travel in the first-class carriages, and went as a second-class passenger. 1852 Ann. Reg. 207 A ‘composite’ carriage, the centre being a first-class compartment. 1869 E. Dunkin Midnight Sky 14 The first-class star Capella. 1870 C. Herschel in Prize Ess. Roads & Road Making 9 In treating of roads it often renders the subject much clearer, to divide them into three classes: first, second, and third class roads, or, as we might also say, state, county and town roads. 1882 Sat. Evening Post 27 May 13/3 A Kentucky railroad has been fined $1,000 for put putting a colored woman, with a first-class ticket, into a smoking car. 1931 Times Lit. Suppl. 26 Mar. 246/3 After 1894 the R.M.A. were no longer sent to sea in small craft, but assigned only to first-class ships and flagships. 1996 C. J. Stone Fierce Dancing iii. 49 Through the buffet car and into the first-class carriages with their pale-maroon seats and headrest covers. 2010 Guardian 26 Aug. 34/1 After gaining a first-class honours degree in 1937, Freeman continued at Imperial as a demonstrator. b. Cricket. Designating cricket matches officially classified as being of the highest grade by virtue of the standard or stature of the competing teams, typically (now always) scheduled to consist of two innings per side and last for three or more days; relating to or participating in matches of this kind.In early use often distinguishing representative county or regional matches played according to the Laws of Cricket from less formal club matches. From the late 19th cent., most commonly referring to matches in the main professional tournament in a major cricketing nation. Test cricket (see test n.¹ 2c) is a form of first-class cricket, although first-class is often also restricted to non-international matches and used in contrast with Test (see, e.g., quot. 2010). From the mid 20th cent., first-class matches are also contrasted with limited-overs matches (see limited-over adj.). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > [adjective] > type of match first class1844 out1875 limited-over1947 1844 Standard 19 June 4/4 Gentlemen of Kent v. Gentlemen of England. This match, which for many years has been one of the most stirring of the season, in reference to the interest which the first-class matches excite. 1863 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 4 Apr. 10/3 A club is being formed, under the auspices of the Sheffield United Cricket Club, solely for the purpose of getting up first class county matches. 1915 Amer. Cricketer July 159/1 In Test matches Hill beat him by nearly 6 runs on average—it was a case of 36.85 against 30.87, but in first-class cricket generally averaged 48.49. 1945 Daily. Tel. 7 Aug. 3/4 Besides the Test at Lord's, eight first-class counties put teams in the field. 2010 P. Donnelley Firsts, Lasts & Onlys 128 He..did not play Test cricket again until 1946... Apart from his first innings, he never managed to recapture his First Class form on the Test arena. c. With reference to postal services. (a) U.S. Originally: designating or relating to a class of mail comprising letters and postcards and given priority over other types of printed matter (such as periodicals, advertisements, etc.). Now: designating or relating to the default delivery service for any item of mail weighing up to 13 ounces (approx. 368 grams).Four classes for mail were introduced to the U.S. postal service in 1863, but the other three have subsequently been renamed; further priority rates are also now available. ΚΠ 1869 Statutes relating to Postal Service Contents x. 30 Division of mail matter... First-class matter. 1881 Amer. Almanac 378 First class mail matter... This class includes letters, postal cards, and anything sealed or otherwise closed against inspection. 1915 Printers' Ink 18 Feb. 53/2 First-class mail is handled with the utmost dispatch and care... Second-class matter is delivered at the post-office by the publisher at his own expense. 1957 ABA Jrnl. Apr. 351/2 The Court concluded that the placing of first-class postage on mail would indicate the sender's intention that it not be opened and inspected at will. 1983 Pop. Mech. May 71/2 (advt.) Allow three to four weeks for delivery by third-class mail. If you prefer faster, first-class mail add 75 cents. 2011 J. Peragine & C. Russell eBay Income (ed. 2) 299 First Class items can be in envelopes or small packages, but there is a maximum weight restriction of 13 ounces. (b) British. Designating or relating to mail that is prioritized for fast delivery and which commands a higher delivery charge than second-class mail (see second-class mail at second-class adj. 1b) .A two-class postal system was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1968, although further special rates have subsequently been added. ΚΠ 1968 Times 19 Mar. 2/1 A two-tier system providing a first class letter service for 4d. 1988 J. Trollope Choir vii. 120 ‘Six first class stamps,’ Janet Young said through the grille, ‘and this parcel second class please.’ 1998 Time 19 Jan. 46/1 Electronic mail is zapping first-class deliveries, the system's most profitable service. 2003 Holiday Which? Spring 72/3 The quickest option is the fast-track service, which guarantees that your passport will be sent by first-class post within one week. †3. U.S. Designating an employee of the lowest or least important grade or receiving the lowest salary. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1865 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 327/2 A sum equal to the year's salary of a first-class clerk. 1865 Union (Georgetown, Delaware) 11 Aug. 1/4 Two third class clerks at annual salaries of sixteen hundred dollars each, and one first class clerk at an annual salary of three hundred dollars. C. adv. 1. Using first-class accommodation in a train, ship, or aircraft. ΘΚΠ society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [adverb] > by specific class of accommodation first class1846 second-class1863 third class1863 first1868 business class1962 1846 Herapath's Railway & Commerc. Jrnl. 14 Feb. 229/3 If they took day-tickets..they might now travel first-class, 26s. 6d., or 18s. 6d. second-class. 1847 Illustr. London News 22 May 328 (caption) Epsom races—1847. The railway—first class. 1885 Sat. Rev. 7 Feb. 166/1 Most of us have no wish to cheat railway Companies by travelling first class at third-class prices. 1953 D. Whipple Someone at Distance ix. 77 It was pleasant to be travelling first-class and pleasant to think other people were paying for it. 1999 J. Cope Repossessed 105 It was the first time in my life that I had flown first class. 2. nonstandard. Excellently, very well indeed. Cf. first rate adv. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb] fairlyOE goodlyc1275 finec1330 properlyc1390 daintily?a1400 thrivinglya1400 goodlily?1457 excellent1483 excellently1527 excellently1529 curiously1548 jollilyc1563 admirably1570 beautifully1570 singularly1576 bravelyc1600 famouslya1616 manlya1616 primely1622 prime1648 eximiously1650 topping1683 egregiously1693 purely1695 trimmingly1719 toppinglya1739 surprisingly1749 capitally1750 brawly1796 jellily18.. stammingly1814 divinely1822 stunningly1823 rippingly1828 jam up1835 out of sight1835 first-rately1843 first rate1844 like a charm1845 stunning1851 marvellously1859 magnificently1868 first class1871 splendidly1883 sterlingly1883 tip-top1888 like one o'clock1901 deevily1905 goodo1907 dandy1908 bonzer1914 great1916 juicily1916 corkingly1917 champion1925 unbeatably1928 snodger1946 beaut1953 smashingly1956 groovily1970 awesome1984 1871 in 23rd Ann. Rep. Poor Law Board App. 228 in Parl. Papers (C. 396) XXVII. 1 The schoolmaster takes great pains in instructing me in algebra and plane trigonometry, and I am getting on first class. 1908 M. E. Mann Sheaf of Corn 24 ‘And how are you getting on?’ ‘First class, sir.’ 3. Using first-class mail or post. See sense B. 2c. ΚΠ 1888 Life 1 Nov. 248/1 Give me a two-cent stamp, and I'll send it first-class. 1943 Pop. Mech. Nov. 22 a/2 (advt.) Enclose your letter and sealed envelope in regular mailing envelope and mail first class. 1967 1st Rep. Sel. Comm. Nationalized Industries: Post Office II. 440 in Parl. Papers 1966–7 (H.C. 340-I) XVII. 411 If postage rates were similar to those today.., at least 50 per cent. of business mail would be sent first class. 1998 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Electronic ed.) 6 May 30 I posted a parcel first class to London on April 3 for my grandchildren's Easter. It never arrived. 2013 Richmond (Va.) Times Disp. (Nexis) 7 Feb. a5 Mail weighing less than 13 ounces can be sent first class. Compounds first-class man n. (also first-classman) now historical a man achieving a first-class result in an examination. ΚΠ 1819 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Aug. 604/1 This, sir, is Bob Buller of Brazennose—first-class-man, sir, both in Litt. Hum. and Class. Phys. 1871 S. Smiles Character ii. 33 A first-classman at Oxford. 1913 G. W. E. Russell Half-lengths (1970) v. 161 It was said of the Emancipator that he was the only man in England who had three sons first-class men at Oxford. 1997 S. Rothblatt Mod. University & Discontents (2009) iv. 217 We have no firm idea of how many ‘first-class men’ or high seconds fell short of achieving place and reputation in British society. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.adj.adv.1616
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