/fawr"mohst', -meuhst, fohr"-/ , adj. , adv.
first in place, order, rank, etc.: the foremost surgeons.
[ bef. 1000; FORE 1 + -MOST; r. ME, OE formest, equiv. to form ( a ) first, var. of fruma (cf. L primus ) + -est -EST ]
Syn . primary, prime, chief, principal, paramount.