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Firstling vs Middling - What's the difference?

firstling | middling |

As adjectives the difference between firstling and middling

is that firstling is firstborn while middling is of intermediate or average size, position, or quality; mediocre.

As a noun firstling

is the first produce or result, notably firstborn offspring.

firstling

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The first produce or result, notably firstborn offspring.
  • * , Genesis 4:4
    • And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • The first of a class or kind.
  • The thing first thought or done.
  • * 1603-06 , , Macbeth , Act 4, Sc. 1:
    • From this moment the very firstlings' of my heart shall be the ' firstlings of my hand.

    Adjective

    (head)
  • Firstborn.
  • * , Deuteronomy 15:19
    • All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.

    References

    * *

    middling

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of intermediate or average size, position, or quality; mediocre
    • The football team is never the worst or best in its league; its position is always middling .
  • * 12 July 2012 , Sam Adams, AV Club Ice Age: Continental Drift
    • The matter of whether the world needs a fourth Ice Age movie pales beside the question of why there were three before it, but Continental Drift feels less like an extension of a theatrical franchise than an episode of a middling TV cartoon, lolling around on territory that’s already been settled.
  • In fairly good health.
  • *1913 ,
  • *:"And how's that chest of yours?" demanded Mrs. Morel.
  • *:He smiled again, with his blue eyes rather sunny.
  • *:"Oh, it's very middlin' ," he said.

    • Synonyms

    * average, medium, unexceptional

    Derived terms

    * fair to middling

    External links

    * Origin of fair to middling