From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
First-rate \First"-rate`\, n. (Naut.)
A war vessel of the highest grade or the most powerful class.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
first-rate \first-rate\ adj.
1. of the highest quality; as, a first-rate reporter.
Syn: ace, A-one, first-class, super, tip-top, topnotch,
tops(predicate).
[WordNet 1.5]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
First-rate \First"-rate`\ (f[~e]rst"r[=a]t`), a.
Of the highest excellence; pre["e]minent in quality, size, or
estimation.
[1913 Webster]
Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the
German. --M. Arnold.
[1913 Webster]
Hermocrates . . . a man of first-rate ability. --Jowett
(Thucyd).
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
first-rate
adv 1: quite well; "she doesn't feel first-rate today" [syn:
first-rate, very well]
adj 1: of the highest quality; "an ace reporter"; "a crack
shot"; "a first-rate golfer"; "a super party"; "played
top-notch tennis"; "an athlete in tiptop condition"; "she
is absolutely tops" [syn: ace, A-one, crack,
first-rate, super, tiptop, topnotch, top-notch,
{tops(p)}]