first among equals

:  preceding all others in time, order, or importance: such as

:  earliest

:  being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

:  before another in time, space, or importance

:  for the first time

:  in preference to something else :  sooner

:  something that is first: such as

:  the first occurrence or item of a kind

:  the first forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

:  in or through the midst of :  surrounded by

:  in company or association with

:  by or through the aggregate of

:  of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another

:  identical in mathematical value or logical denotation :  equivalent

:  like in quality, nature, or status

:  one that is equal

:  an equal quantity

:  to be equal to

:  to be identical in value to

:  equalize