firstborn
UK[ˈfɜːstbɔːn]US[ˈfɜːrstbɔːrn]
adj
Being the first child to be born to a parent or parents.
n
The first child born to a parent or parents.
Morpheme Breakdown
first
born
first
foremost
born
brought into life
Etymology
The word 'firstborn' is a transparent compound from Old English, directly combining the concepts of primacy and birth. 'First' derives from the Proto-Germanic 'furistaz', a superlative form related to 'fore', establishing precedence in time or rank. 'Born' originates from the Proto-Germanic 'buraną', the past participle of the verb "to bear," with deep roots in the Proto-Indo-European 'bʰer-', meaning "to carry, to bear." The compound's logic is entirely literal, designating the child who was carried and borne first, a concept of significant social, legal, and religious importance in many historical cultures, denoting inheritance rights and status.
Analysis
Structure: first (foremost) + born (brought into life)
- first: From Old English 'fyrst', meaning foremost in time, order, or importance. It functions as a numerical/ordinal adjective.
- born: From Old English 'boren', the past participle of 'beran' (to bear, to carry). It functions as an adjective-forming element meaning "brought into life by birth."
Examples
Their firstborn son inherited the family estate.
She felt a special responsibility as the firstborn.
The tradition favored the firstborn child.