first fruits

See also: firstfruits

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English firste fruytes, fyrste frutes, furste frutes (“first fruits”), equivalent to first +‎ fruits.

Noun

first fruits pl (plural only)

  1. The first part of a harvest; sometimes made into an offering
    • 1595, The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romanes, Compared together by that Grave Learned Philosopher and Historiographer, Plutarke of Chæronea‎[1], translation of original in Ancient Greek, page 3:
      And Pitheus alſo had giuen it out abroad, that he was begotten of Neptune, becauſe the TROEZENIANS haue this god in great veneration, and doe worſhip him as patron and protector of their citie, making offerings to him of their firſt fruits: and they haue for the marke and ſtamp of their money, the three picked mace, which is the ſigne of Neptune, called his Trident.
  2. The first profits from an undertaking

Usage notes

  • "The Office of First Fruits and Tenths" was a department of the English exchequer

Translations

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