[farm] n, often attrib [ME ferme rent, lease, fr. OF, lease, fr. fermer to fix, make a contract, fr. L firmare to make firm, fr. firmus firm] (14c) 1 obs: a sum or due fixed in amount and payable at fixed intervals
2: a letting out of revenues or taxes for a fixed sum to one authorized to collect and retain them
3: a district or division of a country leased out for the collection of government revenues
4: a tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes
5. a: a plot of land devoted to the raising of animals and esp. domestic livestock b: a tract of water reserved for the artificial cultivation of some aquatic life form
6: a minor-league team (as in baseball) associated with a major-league team as a subsidiary 7: an area containing a number of similar structures (as radio antennas or storage tanks)
[2]farm vt (15c) 1 obs: rent
2: to collect and take the fees or profits of (an occupation or business) on payment of a fixed sum
3: to give up (as an estate or a business) to another on condition of receiving in return a fixed sum
4. a: to devote to agriculture b: to manage and cultivate as a farm c: to grow or cultivate in quantity "~ trees for fuel" "~ salmon" ~ vi: to engage in raising crops, animals, or fish