[syn: firm, firmly, steadfastly, unwaveringly]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.]
[1913 Webster]
And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod. --Dryden.
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2. To fix or direct with firmness. [Obs.]
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He on his card and compass firms his eye. --Spenser.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
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Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow
But firm battalion. --Milton.
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By one man's firm obediency fully tried. --Milton.
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3. Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land.
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4. Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.
Syn: Compact; dense; hard; solid; stanch; robust; strong;
sturdly; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
firm
adv 1: with resolute determination; "we firmly believed it";
"you must stand firm" [syn: firm, firmly,
steadfastly, unwaveringly]
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: firm, steadfast, steady, stiff,
unbendable, unfaltering, unshakable, unwavering]
2: not soft or yielding to pressure; "a firm mattress"; "the
snow was firm underfoot"; "solid ground" [syn: firm,
solid]
3: strong and sure; "a firm grasp"; "gave a strong pull on the
rope" [syn: firm, 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: firm, steady, unfluctuating]
7: securely established; "holds a firm position as the country's
leading poet"
8: possessing the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue; "firm
muscles"
9: securely fixed in place; "the post was still firm after being
hit by the car" [syn: fast, firm, immobile]
10: 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: firm, loyal, truehearted, fast(a)]
n 1: the members of a business organization that owns or
operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a
brokerage house" [syn: firm, house, business firm]
v 1: become taut or tauter; "Your muscles will firm when you
exercise regularly"; "the rope tautened" [syn: tauten,
firm]
2: make taut or tauter; "tauten a rope" [syn: tauten, firm]