The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word PRINCIPAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
P
R
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N
C
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P
A
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More clues leading to the result PRINCIPAL
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "First" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case first = principal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PRINCIPAL mean?
PRINCIPAL noun- The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.
- The chief administrator of a school.
- The chief executive and chief academic officer of a university or college.
- A legal person that authorizes another (the agent) to act on their behalf; or on whose behalf an agent or gestor in a negotiorum gestio acts.
- The primary participant in a crime.
- A partner or owner of a business.
- A diapason, a type of organ stop on a pipe organ.
- The construction that gives shape and strength to a roof, generally a truss of timber or iron; or, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing.
- The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing.
- One of the turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and centre of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned.
- An essential point or rule; a principle.
- A dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company.
- A security principal.
- Primary; most important; first level in importance.
- (Latinism) Of or relating to a prince; princely.