Hypertext Webster Gateway: "firm"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Firm \Firm\, a. [Compar. {Firmer}; superl. {Firmest}.] [OE.
ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law,
order, dh? to hold fast, carry. Cf. {Farm}, {Throne}.]
1. Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial;
hard; solid; -- applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm
flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.
2. Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose;
fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily
changed in feelings or will; strong; as, a firm believer;
a firm friend; a firm adherent.
Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow But firm
battalion. --Milton.
By one man's firm obediency fully tried. --Milton.
3. Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land.
4. Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.
Syn: Compact; dense; hard; solid; stanch; robust; strong;
sturdly; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Firm \Firm\, n. [It. firma the (firm, sure, or confirming)
signature or subscription, or Pg. firma signature, firm, cf.
Sp. firma signature; all fr. L. firmus, adj., firm. See
{Firm}, a.]
The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts
business; a partnership of two or more persons; a commercial
house; as, the firm of Hope & Co.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Firm \Firm\, v. t. [OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L.
firmare to make firm. See {Firm}, a.]
1. To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish. [Obs.]
And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod. --Dryden.
2. To fix or direct with firmness. [Obs.]
He on his card and compass firms his eye. --Spenser.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
firm
adj 1: marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable;
"firm convictions"; "a firm mouth"; "steadfast
resolve"; "a man of unbendable perseverence";
"unwavering loyalty" [syn: {steadfast}, {steady}, {unbendable},
{unfaltering}, {unshakable}, {unwavering}]
2: not soft or yielding to pressure; "a firm mattress"; "the
snow was firm underfoot"; "solid ground" [syn: {solid}]
3: strong and sure; "a firm grasp"; "gave a strong pull on the
rope" [syn: {strong}]
4: not subject to revision or change; "a firm contract"; "a
firm offer"
5: (of especially a person's physical features) not shaking or
trembling; "his voice was firm and confident"; "a firm
step"
6: not liable to fluctuate or especially to fall; "stocks are
still firm" [syn: {steady}, {unfluctuating}]
7: securely established; "an established reputation"; "holds a
firm position as the country's leading poet" [syn: {established}]
8: marked by the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue; "firm
muscles"
9: pleasingly firm and fresh and making a crunching noise when
chewed; "crisp carrot and celery sticks"; "a firm apple";
"crunchy lettuce" [syn: {crisp}, {crunchy}]
10: securely fixed in place; "the post was still firm after
being hit by the car" [syn: {fast}, {immobile}]
11: unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause; "a firm
ally"; "loyal supporters"; "the true-hearted soldier...of
Tippecanoe"- Campaign song for William Henry Harrison;
"fast friends" [syn: {loyal}, {truehearted}, {fast(a)}]
n : members of a business organization; "he worked for a
brokerage house" [syn: {house}, {business firm}]
adv : with resolute determination; "we firmly believed it"; "you
must stand firm" [syn: {firmly}, {steadfastly}, {unwaveringly}]
v 1: become taut or tauter [syn: {tauten}]
2: make taut or tauter; "tauten a rope" [syn: {tauten}]
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