当先

當先
dāngxiān
  1. (literary) originally; at first
  2. (literary) to take the lead in
  3. originally; at first
  4. to take the lead in

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

=1 当 dāng
  1. (onom.) dong
  2. ding dong (bell)
=1 当 dāng
  1. to be
  2. to act as
  3. manage
  4. withstand
  5. when
  6. during
  7. ought
  8. should
  9. match equally
  10. equal
  11. same
  12. obstruct
  13. just at (a time or place)
  14. on the spot
  15. right
  16. just at
=1 当 dàng
  1. at or in the very same...
  2. suitable
  3. adequate
  4. fitting
  5. proper
  6. to replace
  7. to regard as
  8. to think
  9. to pawn
  10. (coll.) to fail (a student)
=2 先 xiān
  1. beforehand; first; earlier
  2. at first; originally
  3. for the time being; for now
  4. (prefix) my late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself)
=2 先 xiǎn only used in 先馬／先马

Containing this entry

一马当先 yīmǎdāngxiān (idiom) to take the lead