Parents knocked back first man (4)

I believe the answer is:

adam

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'first man' is the definition.
(first man in the Bible)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for adam that I've seen before include "Scottish architect, d.1792" , "who transformed Palladian architecture?" , "Biblical progenitor of human race" , "Father of Cain and Abel" , "Eden man" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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