| Library / English Dictionary |
FOREMOST
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Preceding all others in spatial position
Example:
the foremost compartment of the ship
Synonyms:
foremost; frontmost
Classified under:
Similar:
front (relating to or located in the front)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Ranking above all others
Example:
the top graduate
Synonyms:
first; foremost; world-class
Classified under:
Similar:
best ((superlative of 'good') having the most positive qualities)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Situated closest to the bow
Example:
the foremost compartment of the ship
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
fore (situated at or toward the bow of a vessel)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Before anything else
Example:
first we must consider the garter snake
Synonyms:
first; first of all; first off; firstly; foremost
Classified under:
Sense 2
Meaning:
Prominently forward
Example:
he put his best foot foremost
Synonyms:
first; foremost
Classified under:
Context examples:
I am thin, so, with his aid, I got out, but feet foremost, and, as we were only a few feet above ground, landed unhurt.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: Anne was among those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manoeuvred so well, with the assistance of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by her.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
The little girl performed her long journey in safety; and at Northampton was met by Mrs. Norris, who thus regaled in the credit of being foremost to welcome her, and in the importance of leading her in to the others, and recommending her to their kindness.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Any attempt at recovering the bodies was absolutely hopeless, and there, deep down in that dreadful caldron of swirling water and seething foam, will lie for all time the most dangerous criminal and the foremost champion of the law of their generation.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
"I grant that as authorities to quote they are most excellent—the two foremost literary critics in the United States. Every school teacher in the land looks up to Vanderwater as the Dean of American criticism. Yet I read his stuff, and it seems to me the perfection of the felicitous expression of the inane. Why, he is no more than a ponderous bromide, thanks to Gelett Burgess. And Praps is no better. His 'Hemlock Mosses,' for instance is beautifully written. Not a comma is out of place; and the tone—ah!—is lofty, so lofty. He is the best-paid critic in the United States. Though, Heaven forbid! he's not a critic at all. They do criticism better in England.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
“Huzza, mates, all together!” shouted Merry; and the foremost broke into a run.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
You are like my friend, Dr. Watson, who has a bad habit of telling his stories wrong end foremost.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
They limped painfully down the bank, and once the foremost of the two men staggered among the rough-strewn rocks.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
I was filled with agitation, however, when I bent down and slid feet foremost in through the window.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
A crowd of white-faced sewers and pages swarmed at their heels, those behind pushing forwards, while the foremost shrank back from the fierce faces and reeking weapons of the adventurers.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
