first declension

English

Noun

first declension (plural first declensions)

1. In Latin, a pattern of inflection of a group of nouns that are declined (inflected) in the same way, and which have an -a- in their stems.

   Most first declension nouns are feminine, but a few like agricola and nauta are masculine.

2. In Russian and Ukrainian, a pattern of inflection of a group of (mostly) feminine nouns that are declined (inflected) in the same way, and which end in -а/-я in the nominative singular.
3. In Lithuanian, a pattern of inflection of a group of masculine nouns that are declined (inflected) in the same way, and which end in -as/-is/-ys/-ias in the nominative singular; also a pattern of inflection of a group of adjectives that end in -(i)as in the masculine nominative singular.
4. In Latvian, a pattern of inflection of a group of masculine nouns that are declined (inflected) in the same way, and which end in -s/-š in the nominative singular, with thematic vowel -a-.
5. In Irish, a pattern of inflection of a group of masculine nouns that are declined (inflected) in the same way, and which end in a broad consonant in the nominative singular, and a slender consonant in the genitive singular; also a group of adjectives inflected similarly.
6. In Swedish, a pattern of inflection of a group of common-gender nouns that are declined (inflected) in the same way, and which end in -a or a consonant in the nominative singular, and -or in the nominative plural.

Synonyms

(a Latin declension):

• a-declension

Related terms

(a Latin declension):

• second declension (o-declension)
• third declension (consonantal declension, mixed declension, i-declension)
• fourth declension (u-declension)
• fifth declension (e-declension)