Pronunciation: [fˈɜːst hˈʌsbənd] (IPA) 
The spelling of the term "first husband" is pretty straightforward. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /fɜːst ˈhʌzbənd/. The "f" sound is followed by an "er" sound, and the stress falls on the first syllable of "first". The "h" in "husband" is silent, so the emphasis is on the second syllable. Overall, the spelling of "first husband" reflects its meaning as a person's initial spouse.
The term "first husband" refers to the spouse of a woman who is currently in their first marriage. It represents the husband in the initial or primary marital relationship of a woman. The concept of a first husband often arises in discussions surrounding remarriage or subsequent marriages that may occur after a divorce or the death of a previous spouse.
The first husband holds the distinction of being the initial partner to enter into a legal, spousal relationship with a woman. In the context of multiple marriages, the term "first husband" is used to distinguish him from subsequent husbands. It is important to note that the term "first husband" is often employed to emphasize the chronological order in which marriages occurred, rather than any qualitative or comparative characteristics of each spouse.
While societal norms have evolved, and divorce rates have increased, the notion of a first husband is primarily utilized to distinguish the present marital relationship from previous unions. The term may also be used in everyday conversation or legal settings to maintain clarity when discussing complex family structures or to establish a chronology of marriages and relationships.
In summary, the term "first husband" refers to the initial spouse of a woman in her first marriage, highlighting the chronological aspect of the relationship and distinguishing him from subsequent husbands.
The etymology of the term "first husband" can be understood by breaking it down into its individual components.
1. "First": This word comes from the Old English word "fyrst", which means "foremost, initial, earliest, leading". It is related to the German word "erst", and ultimately goes back to the Proto-Germanic word "furstiz".
2. "Husband": This word comes from the Old English word "husbonda", which meant "male head of a household". It is derived from the Old Norse word "husbondi", combining "hus" meaning "house" and "bondi" meaning "dweller". The term originally referred to a married man, specifically in the context of being the head of a household or family.
