I. ˈfärm noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English ferme, from Anglo-French, from fermer to fix, rent, from Latin firmare to make firm, from firmus firm
Date: 14th century
1. obsolete : 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 especially domestic livestock
b. : a tract of water reserved for the artificial cultivation of some aquatic life form
a fish farm
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 or objects (as radio antennas or storage tanks)
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. obsolete : 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
farm trees for fuel
farm salmon
intransitive verb
: to engage in raising crops, animals, or fish