firstfruits

1 8.8

The first crops given to a temple to show thanks

noun
/ˈfɜrstˌfruːts/

Archaic

: primicias

The villagers brought their firstfruits to the temple as a sign of gratitude.

Examples

In medieval England, the monarch often received firstfruits from newly appointed bishops.
The farmer offered his firstfruits at the harvest festival.
The payment of firstfruits was an important source of income for the church authorities.
In ancient times, people would present their firstfruits to the temple.
The villagers brought their firstfruits to the temple as a sign of gratitude.
In ancient times, people would present their firstfruits to the temple.
The payment of firstfruits was an important source of income for the church authorities.

Synonyms

firstling

vsfirstfruits

Archaic

1 9.9

A person, animal, or thing that comes before others in a group

refers to those initial items offered as a religious or thankful gift

Surface Forms

firstfruits singular

firstfruits plural

Morphology

firstfruits = first + fruit (semi-transparent) = first + fruit + s

The compound 'first' + 'fruit' is literal and the plural '-s' is a regular inflection, so the structural formation is clear.

Etymology

Firstfruits comes from the parts first ('coming before') and fruits ('harvest' or 'results'), and it originally meant the very first part of the harvest that people brought to their temple as a gift. So, firstfruits now means the first products or results of an activity, often given or shown as a sign of thanks.