Forms: 4–6 ferm(e, 6 fyrme, 6–7 firme, 6– firm. [ME. ferme, a. OF. (and Fr.) ferme:—L. firmus.]
A. adj.
1. Having a close consistence, of solid or compact structure or texture; not readily yielding to pressure or impact.
1611. Bible, Job xli. 24. His heart is as firme as a stone, yea as hard as a peece of the nether mil-stone.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, III. § 5. To dry up the abundant slime and mudde of the Earth, and make the Land more firme.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 350.
| In even ballance down they light | |
| On the firm brimstone, and fill the Plain. |
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 28. When we came to fill up the stern, and to case it all over with firm thick plank, we could find, to my great astonishment, no nails fit for that use.
1727. Swift, Gulliver, III. ii. 187. His Majesty had given Orders that the Island should move North-East and by East, to the Vertical Point over Lagado, the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom below upon the firm Earth.
1812–6. J. Smith, The Panorama of Science and Art, I. 5. Cast steel takes a fine firm edge, and receiving an exquisite polish, of which no other sort of steel is, in so high a degree, susceptible, it is made use of for all the finest cutlery.
1823. F. Clissold, Ascent of Mont Blanc, 20. The surface of the snow was of so firm a consistence, that steps were cut with the axe for many hundred yards,—a most laborious employment, in which the guides relieved each other every ten minutes.
1854. Badham, Halieut., 170. As the flesh is rather too firm when fresh, it is usually kept awhile before dressing.
2. Securely or steadily fixed, not easily moved or shaken, stable.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. v. 204.
| Yet, though thou stand’st more sure, than I could do, | |
| Thou art not firme enough, since greefes are greene. |
1694. Narborough, in Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 46. On the tops of the Hills, and in the Ground are very large Oyster-shells, they lie in Veins in the Earth and in the firm Rocks: and on the sides of Hills in the Country; they are the biggest Oyster-shells that ever I saw; some six, some seven Inches broad, yet not one Oyster to be found in the Harbour; whence I conclude, they were here when the Earth was formed.
1784. Cowper, Task, V. 156.
| So stood the brittle prodigy, though smooth | |
| And slipp’ry the materials, yet frost-bound | |
| Firm as a rock. |
1791. Mrs. Radcliffe, Rom. Forest, ii. The glass was yet firm in the windows.
Mod. Try whether the post is firm in the ground.
3. That does not shake, quiver, or waver; steady in motion or action; having control of the muscular forces of the body, not relaxed or nerveless.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., III. i. 190.
| Glost. Ah, thus King Henry throwes away his Crutch, | |
| Before his Legges be firme to beare his Body. |
1614. Bp. Hall, A Recollection of such Treatises, 102. This firme and beautifull light [the Sun] is but good enough for that day of glorie, which the Saints liue in.
1656. Cowley, Davideis, III. 501.
| The Lion’s Royal Whelp does not at first, | |
| For blood of Basan Bulls, or Tygers thirst. | |
| In timorous Deer he hansels his young Paws, | |
| And leaves the rugged Bear for firmer Claws. |
1667. Milton, P. L., VI. 532.
| Him soon they met | |
| Under spred Ensignes moving nigh, in slow | |
| But firm Battalion. |
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 121.
| Upright he walks, on Pasterns firm and straight, | |
| His Motions easy; prancing in his Gate. |
1809. Roland, Fencing, 22. Extend the longe as much as possible, provided you feel yourself firm and steady in that position, and that you can recover with ease and quickness to your former position of the guard, immediately after the longe, and without the least embarrassment.
1834. Medwin, Angler in Wales, I. 273. I never heard but one woman who had so firm a touch [on the piano]; her prelude was brilliant.
1840. Peter Parley’s Annual, I. 176. A wise man’s feet are always firm in the stirrup; so it was with Alfred [the Great]; he was ready to take advantage of any favourable opportunity which might occur for the recovery of his kingdom.
1870. Bryant, Iliad, I. IV. 120.
| O aged man, would that thy knees were firm | |
| As is thy purpose, and thy srength as great! |
4. Healthy, robust; sound, undecaved. (Cf. infirm.) ? Obs.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. (1586), 124 b. If the Horse have an ache [si febril], give it him with water, if he be ferme [si non febril] with good strong Wine.
1715–20. Pope, Iliad, XVII. 348.
| Lamented youth! in life’s firm bloom he fell, | |
| Sent by great Ajax to the shades of hell. |
1776. G. Semple, A Treatise on Building in Water, 84. Those [Fir Field-gates] which were painted were all quite rotten, but those that were not painted continued firm.
1798. Malthus, Popul. (1817), I. 427–8. The principal mortality, of course, takes place among the infants who are just received, and the children which are brought up in the house; but there is a considerable mortality amongst those who are returned from the country, and are in the firmest stages of life.
5. Of non-material things: Fixed, settled, established. Of a decree, law, or sentence: Immutable.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., III. vi. 78. I ne trowe nat þat þe pris and grace of þe poeple nis neþer worþi to ben remembrid ne comeþ of wise iugement, ne is ferm perdurably.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xvi. 74. Þou and all þat of þee sall com sall hafe were withouten ferme pees all way vnto þe nynde degree.
1538. Starkey, England, I. i. 15–6. The law of nature ys euer one, in al cuntreys fyrme and stabul.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 173. We will and promise to obserue and holde his deede firme and stable.
1600. Shaks., As You Like It, I. iii. 85.
| Then open not thy lips | |
| Firme, and irreuocable is my doombe, | |
| Which I have past upon her, she is banish’d. |
1625. Burges, Pers. Tithes, 64. If the Law bee so firme for Personal Tithes, How is it that Ministers call not for them, and that they doe not recouer them by Law?
1660. Milton, Free Commw., 430. The happiness of a Nation must needs be firmest and certainest in a full and free Council of thir own electing.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857), I. 229. This apotelesmatic or judicial astrology obtained firm possession of men’s minds.
† b. Assured, secure (as a possession, etc.). Also of a person; Assured of a thing. Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IX. 754.
| The King for-out mair delaying | |
| Send hym to be in ferm keping. |
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 285 b/1. They mette and were ferme of the lignage promysed.
1594. First Pt. Contention (1843), 39. You shall haue your firme rewarde anon.
1671. Charente, Let. Customs, 64. He who was Governour at the time … did not … deliver it up to the King of Portugal but kept it firm to the King of Spain.
1737. Whiston, Josephus’ Antiq., VII. ix. § 6. The kingdom would be firm to him when David was dead.
† c. Well-ascertained, certain, sure. Of an argument: Well-founded, valid. Obs.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 283. Þorugh fuire is fullyng · and þat is ferme bileue.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 494. Alleadgyng no firme, or honest proofe of ye crimes.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 53.
| As there is no firme reason to be rendred | |
| Why he cannot abide a gaping Pigge? | |
| Why he a harmlesse necessarie Cat? |
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Country Farme, 27. If the drops of Water comming from the roofes of Houses doe fall one a good while after another, he shall hold it for firme, that cold is neere at hand, or else that that which is alreadie will be verie violent.
1693. South, Serm., II. 187. If the sole use of Words, or Speech, were to inform the Person, whom we speak to, the Consequence would be firm and good, and equally conclude against the use of any Words at all in Prayer.
6. Of a person, his attributes, etc.: Immovable or not easily moved; constant, steadfast; unflinching, unshaken, unwavering; resolute, determined.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 341. Wherfore folke is þe feblere · and nouȝt ferme of bilieue.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 5229.
| But if he be so ferme & stable, | |
| That fortune chaunge hym not, ne blynde. |
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xii. 43. Take ayen corage, and make thy selfe ferme wyth hope.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 41. Thairto gyf ferme credens as to the verite that is infallible.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., IV. v. 28.
| Her Mother, (euen strong against that match | |
| And firme for Doctor Caius) hath appointed | |
| That he shall likewise shuffle her away. |
1637. Decree Star Chamb., § 24, in Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 20. The Court doth hereby declare their firme resolution, that if any person or persons, that is not allowed Printer, shall hereafter presume to set vp any Presse for printing.
1656. B. Harris, trans. Parival’s The History of This Iron Age, 245. The people of Liedge are very firme Roman Catholicks, and very much love novelty, as well as the French.
1751. T. Sharp, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 375. And here began a firm and lasting friendship between them, improved by an intimate conversation for many years, and cemented by repeated returns of good offices to each other.
1838. Lytton, Alice, I. ix. Lady Vargrave, though touched, was firm, and her firmness was of that soft, imploring character, which Evelyn never could resist.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 225. His plan was to rally round the monarchy those classes which had been the firm allies of the monarchy during the troubles of the preceding generation, and which had been disgusted by the recent crimes and errors of the court.
1851. H. Rogers, Ecl. Faith (1853), 181. Fellowes, and two of the Rationalists, were firm believers in the theory of ‘insight’; that the human spirit derives by immediate intuition from the ‘depths’ of its consciousness, a ‘revelation of religious and spiritual truth.’
1873. Helps, Some Talk about Animals and Their Masters, i. (1875), 4. It is my firm belief that misfortune breeds boys without any superfluous assistance from parents.
b. Steadfast in attachment to (a person, cause, or the like).
1705. Walsh, Hor. Odes, III. iii. 1.
| The man that’s resolute and just, | |
| Firm to his principles and trust. |
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time I. 393. There was no reason to think, that, while the Parliament was so firm to the King, any discontents could be carried so far as to a general rising.
1726–46. Thomson, Winter, 484.
| PHOCION the Good; in public Life severe, | |
| To Virtue still inexorably firm. |
c. Indicating steadfastness or resolution.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. 211. ‘I am the young count Laniska,’ replied he, in a firm tone.
1844. Mem. Babylonian P’cess, II. 253. The firm voice of the captain giving his orders, betoking calmness and resolution, bringing consolation to the timid, and courage to the wavering.
1878. B. Taylor, Deukalion, II. iv. 81.
| No supplication, nay but pity shines | |
| From those firm eyes: I cannot look them down! |
7. Comm. a. Of prices: Maintaining their level; with no downward tendency. Of commodities: Not depressed in market value. Also transf. applied to the market, a season of trade, etc. b. A firm offer: one which the person making it is resolved not to increase.
1883. Daily News, 7 Nov., 4/7. American prices were firm. Ibid. (1887), 7 June, 2/6. English wheats in the country markets are somewhat irregular, though most generally firm.
1887. Times, 25 Aug., 9/1. The Money Market has been a little less firm to-day.
1891. Daily News, 23 Nov., 2/7. There is no probability of the market becoming weaker. Indeed, a continued firm winter and a good spring is looked forward to.
† 8. Firm land, firm-laud: dry land, solid earth; the mainland (as opposed to an island), a ‘continent.’ Obs. as a recognized phrase. [= med.L. terra firma, F. terre ferme.]
1553. Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 8. In the moste part of Globes and Mappes they see the continente or fyrme lande, extended euen to the North Pole without any such passage.
1594. Blundevil, Exerc., V. (ed. 7), 574. The South firme lande, is called of some Magellanica, of Ferdinando Magellanus, who first discouered the same.
1612. Brerewood, Lang. & Relig., x. 93. Thus it is with Christians in the firm land of Asia: but in the islands about Asia, Christianity is as yet but a tender plant.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 587.
| Beyond this flood a frozen Continent | |
| Lies dark and wilde, beat with perpetual storms | |
| Of Whirlwind and dire Hail, which on firm land | |
| Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems | |
| Of ancient pile. |
1682. Wheler, Journ. Greece, I. 22. It is joyned by a Stone-bridg, and to the Firm-Land by a Woodden one.
1872. Browning, Fifine, lxxxii. 4.
| I would there were one voyage, and then no more to do | |
| But tread the firm-land, tempt the uncertain sea no more. |
† 9. ellipt. quasi-sb. = prec. Obs.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy., I. 438. And if no such Islands may bee found in the Scithian sea toward the firme of Asia, then are you to search out the ports that be about Nova Zembla.
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., ii. 407.
| And to the North, betwixt the fore-land and the firme, | |
| Shee [Wight] hath that narrow Sea, which we the Solent tearme. |
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., I. 19. We went ashore on the firme of Asia for fresh water.
B. adv. and quasi-adv.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 116. Þat she furste & formest · ferme shulde bilieue.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 126.
| Hee straight obeys, | |
| Not knowing to what Land, yet firm believes. |
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 137. The shorter all the Bearings of Timbers are, the firmer they Bear.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), II. 304. Charity which is built firmest upon Faith and Prudence, improves them again in return, opens wider scenes of the divine beneficence to enlarge our Hope, encourages Fortitude and Temperance, and inspires an equitable temper and impartial justice to all.
1801. Southey, Thalaba, XI. iv.
| Her rosy feet press firmer, as she leaps | |
| Upon the wing again. |
b. Chiefly in phr. to stand firm (lit. and fig.), and to hold firm (to).
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter xviii. 10. Þat þai be halden ferme.
1570. Billingsley, Euclid, I. Def. iv. 2. A right lyne is that which standeth firme betwene his extremes.
1611. Bible, Josh. iv. 3. Take you hence out of the mids of Iordan, out of the place where the Priests feet stood firme.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., II. i. 67.
| Heel’d make the Heauens hold firme | |
| The walls of thy deere Honour. |
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 900. Wee, that hold firme to the Works of God.
1724. De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 277. He, an old tried soldier, stood firm, and received the charge with equal gallantry.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Manners, Wks. (Bohn), II. 45. I find the Englishman to be him of all men who stands firmest in his shoes.
1857. Spurgeon, Serm. New Park St., II. 132. Those who hold truth pretty firm and will not let it go.
c. Comb.
1. Of the adj.: a. with sb., as † firm-wood (used as adj.). Also firm-land (see A. 8).
1745. trans. Columella’s Husb., III. xvii. Authors, who denied, that the upper firm-wood branch is fit for bearing fruit.
b. In parasynthetic adjs., as firm-based, -footed, -framed, -nerved, -paced, † -proposed, -sinewed, -textured; also firm-hoofed, having hoofs not cloven.
1820. Keats, Hyperion, II. 137.
| And the which book ye know I ever kept | |
| For my *firm-based footstool. |
1877. Black, Green Past., iii. (1878), 19–20. He was not over five feet eight; but he was a bony *firm-framed young man, who had much more character than prettiness in his face.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VI. vi. 297. Solipes, or *firme hoofed creatures, as Horses, Asses, Mules, &c.
1870. Bryant, Iliad, I. V. 286.
| The son | |
| Of Tydeus, having slain us, shall lead thence | |
| Thy firm-hoofed [Gr. μώνυχας] coursers. |
1821. Joanna Baillie, Met. Leg., Wallace, xxxvii.
| How short the term that shall divide | |
| The *firm-nerved youth’s exerted force,— | |
| The warrior, glowing in his pride, | |
| From the cold stiffen’d corse! |
1799. Campbell, Pleas. Hope, I.
| *Firm-pac’d and slow, a horrid front they form, | |
| Still as the breeze, but dreadful as the storm. |
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., V. ii. 462.
| West. The King hath graunted euery Article: | |
| His Daughter first; and [then] in sequele, all, | |
| According to their *firme proposed natures. |
1884. Black, Judd. Shaks., viii. Wrestling and his *firm-sinewed figure had something to do with his extreme humility on this occasion.
1854. Hawthorne, Eng. Note-bks. (1883) I. 553. I talked with her a little, and found her sensible, vivacious, and *firm-textured, rather than soft and sentimental.
2. Of the adv. with pa. pples., forming adjs., as firm-braced, -compacted, -planted, -rooted (hence firm-rootedness), -set, -written.
1847. Emerson, Poems, May-Day (1857), 47.
| *Firm-braced I sought my ancient woods, | |
| Struggling through the drifted roads. |
1779. R. Potter, Æschylus, I. 142 (Supplicants).
| E’en now their *firm-compacted ships | |
| Black o’er the angry deep insulting ride. |
1870. Bryant, Iliad, I. XII. 382.
| By the tall gates they stood, as giant oaks | |
| Stand on the mountains and abide the wind | |
| And the tempestuous rains of all the year, | |
| Firm-planted on their strong and spreading roots. |
1808. Mrs. E. H. Iliff, Poems, Corfus (1818), 97.
| The ship to rock was turn’d, and stands | |
| *Firm-rooted in the yellow sands | |
| By Neptune’s rage, as records deem, | |
| In vengeance for blind Polypheme. |
1860. Pusey, The Minor Prophets, 587. The allusion probably is to its *firm-rootedness.
1605. Shaks., Macb., II. i. 56.
| Thou sowre and *firme-set Earth | |
| Heare not my steps. |
1863. I. Williams, Baptistery, II. xxiii. (1874), 85.
| ‘The Bishop and his Clerks’ are seen. | |
| O firm-set, ever-during scene! |
1649. G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. V., ccxv.
| *Firme-written destinie | |
| Reverts, the Breath of Kings. |
