Firm | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Firm, a.

adjective

(18), a. [compar. FIRMER; superl. FIRMEST.] [Lat. firmus, Fr. ferme, Pr. form, It. fermo, Sp. & Pg. firme.]

Sense 1. Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; hard; solid; — applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles; firm wood; firm cloth.

Sense 2. Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose; not moved by other influences; fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily moved; — applied to the feelings and will; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent or supporter; a firm man, or a man of firm resolution.

Moving sigh

In slow, but firm, battalion. Milton.

By one man's firm obedience fully tried. Milton.

Sense 3. Not giving way; solid; — opposed to fluid; as, firm land.

As positive as the earth is firm. Shak.

Sense 4. Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.

Synonyms—Compact; dense; hard; solid; stable; stanch; robust; strong; sturdy; unshaken; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.

Firm, n.

noun

n. [It. firma, the (firm, sure, or confirming) signature or subscription, from Lat. firmus.] The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts business; hence, a partnership or house; as, the firm of Hope & Co.

Firm, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [Lat. firmāre, to make firm; to strengthen, to confirm, from firmus, firm; It. firmare, to sign, to subscribe. See supra.] [Rare.] 1. To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish. And love has firmed it with an awful nod. Dryden. 2. To fix or direct with firmness. Upon his card and compass firms his eye. Spenser.