headforemost

[ hed-fawr-mohst, -muhst, -fohr- ]

adverb

1. headfirst ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of headforemost¹

First recorded in 1615–25; head + foremost

Example Sentences

“In a way, it would not be a new experience for me. When I pitched headforemost into the world I landed in the crib of negroism.”

From Washington Post

Occasionally, he shot himself out of his equipage headforemost over the apron; and I saw him on one occasion deliver himself at the door of the Grove in this unintentional way—like coals.

From Literature

As he said the words, he threw off his coat, waistcoat, and his long gum-boots, and plunged headforemost into the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

He did not end the sentence in words, but seized the man by the neck, and, strong as a lion in his moments of hot excitement, whirled him furiously from the door and sent him all across the room, pitching headforemost on to the stone floor; then tore the door open and carried the screaming nun out into the road.

From Project Gutenberg

An Irishman, when not stranded on the Scylla of indolence, is certain to flounder headforemost on the Charybdis of enthusiasm; and, of the two dangers, the latter is generally the worst.'

From Project Gutenberg