first-down
UK[ˈfɜːst daʊn]US[ˈfɜːrst daʊn]
n
In American football, the first of a series of four attempts a team has to advance the ball ten yards down the field.
n
The situation resulting when a team gains enough yardage to earn a new set of four downs.
Morpheme Breakdown
first
down
first
ordinal
down
play
Etymology
The term 'first-down' is a compound specific to American football, originating in the late 19th century. It logically combines the ordinal number 'first', denoting initial position, with the sporting term 'down', referring to a single play or attempt to advance the ball. The word 'down' in this context evolved from the act of putting the ball on the ground (or 'down') to start a scrimmage. Thus, a 'first-down' literally signifies the initial attempt in a series, a concept central to the game's structure of territorial advancement.
Analysis
Structure: first (ordinal) + down (play)
- first: From Old English fyrst, fyrest, related to fore; functions as an ordinal number indicating position before all others.
- down: From Old English dūn (hill, mound), but in this compound, it derives from the sporting term 'down' (a chance to advance the ball), itself from the notion of putting the ball down to start a play.
Examples
The quarterback's pass completed just enough yards for a first-down.
Getting a first-down early in the drive builds momentum for the offense.
The defense held strong, denying them the first-down and forcing a punt.