Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

First-rate

First-rate (fẽrst"rāt`) , adjective

Of the highest excellence; preeminent in quality, size, or estimation.
Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the German. — M. Arnold
Hermocrates... a man of first-rate ability. — Jowett (Thucyd)

First-rate , noun

(Nautical) A war vessel of the highest grade or the most powerful class.

first-rate , adjective

1.
of the highest quality; as, a first-rate reporter.