first water

first water

n.

1. The highest degree of quality or purity in diamonds or pearls.

2. The foremost rank or quality: a pianist of the first water.

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[Probably translation of Arabic mā', water, water luster.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

first water

n

1. (Jewellery) the finest quality of diamond or other precious stone

2. the highest grade or best quality

3. the most extreme kind: a fool of the first water.

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

first′ wa′ter

n.

1. (formerly) the highest degree of fineness in a diamond or other precious stone. Compare water (def. 13).

2. the finest quality; highest rank.

[1745–55]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

first water - the highest quality gems high quality, superiority - the quality of being superior

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.