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 ]

a. [ Compar. Firmer superl. Firmest. ] [ OE. ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law, order, dh&unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow
But firm battalion. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

By one man's firm obediency fully tried. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

n. [ L. firmamentum, fr. firmare to make firm: cf. F. firmament. See Firm, v. & a. ] 1. Fixed foundation; established basis. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Custom is the . . . firmament of the law. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The region of the air; the sky or heavens. [ 1913 Webster ]

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Gen. i. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament. Gen. i. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In Scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; the great arch or expanse over out heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Old Astron.) The orb of the fixed stars; the most remote of the celestial spheres. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to the firmament; celestial; being of the upper regions. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Firmans xex>or [ Pers. fermān. ] In Turkey and some other Oriental countries, a decree or mandate issued by the sovereign; a royal order or grant; -- generally given for special objects, as to a traveler to insure him protection and assistance. [ Written also firmaun. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A chisel, thin in proportion to its width. It has a tang to enter the handle instead of a socket for receiving it. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. firmitudo. See Firm. ] Strength; stability. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. firmitas. ] Strength; firmness; stability. [ Obs. ] Chillingworth. [ 1913 Webster ]