I. ˈfərm, -ə̄m, -əim adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin firmus ) of Middle English ferm, ferme, from Middle French ferm, from Latin firmus; akin to Latin fretus trusting, daring, Greek thrēsasthai to sit down, thronos chair, throne, Sanskrit dhārayati he holds, carries, keeps; basic meaning: holding, supporting
1.
a. : securely or solidly fixed in place : not loose : immovable
his teeth were firm — D.B.Chidsey
firm in the saddle
the gate and its pillars were firm , but at one side the fence had fallen — John Glassco
b.
(1) : not weak, wavering, or uncertain : solid , robust
walked with a firm tread
a firm handshake
a firm steady touch on the piano
(2) : sound , healthy
her mind was still firm ; but her limbs trembled … violently — Ellen Glasgow
c. : having a solid or compact structure or texture : withstanding stress or pressure : not flabby or soft
firm flesh
firm muscles
the snow was firm , not powdery
the creek has a firm bottom
2.
a.
(1) : not subject to change, revision, or withdrawal : fixed , settled , definite , established
at this meeting … two firm decisions were taken — New York Times
I cannot quote you a firm price
is this a firm offer
like a mother with no baby-sitter and a firm date at the theater — E.B.White
(2) : not subject to price weakness on an increase in offerings : steady — used especially of commodities, securities, and interest rates
(3) of electric power : dependable or flowing steadily because supplemented by a reserve source
b.
(1) : not easily moved, shaken, excited, or disturbed : unshaken , convinced , determined
firm nerves
a firm believer in democracy
firm confidence in his own ability
(2) : not fickle or vacillating : steadfast , loyal , constant
a firm friend
firm in his devotion
(3) : making no concessions : showing no weakness : unyielding , rigorous , inflexible , severe , hard
a firm and even tough diplomacy — Hugh Gaitskell
when a strong hand must be used, be impersonal but firm — Dorothy Barclay
firm discipline — L.C.Douglas
c.
(1) : not easily challenged or undone : assured , secure , strong
took firm possession of the enemy's trenches
holds a firm position as the country's leading poet
this horse is a firm favorite for the big race
(2) : well-founded , certain
the fuller and firmer account would have set several facts in clearer … perspective — A.S.P.Woodhouse
: thorough
he has a firm knowledge of the subject
(3) : marked by solidity, precision, or clarity : convincingly, realistically, or solidly drawn
the plot is thin, but the atmosphere is firm — Nicola Chiaromonte
the deep richness of the book … and its firm design — W.T.Scott
3. : indicating firmness or resolution
the firm almost arrogant voice of a vigorous young man — E.K.Genn
a firm mouth
Synonyms:
hard , solid : firm may apply to a resistant tight compactness or resilient consistency of substance withstanding strain, stress, or pressure; it may imply stability or resolution
a firm weave
a firm foundation
the snow, far from being soft and powdery, was firm and hard — John Hunt & Edmund Hillary
only the pier actually hit was demolished; the adjoining piers stood firm — O.S.Nock
he stood firm on recommendations he believed were to the city's benefit, often in the face of popular opposition — Current Biography
she was firm and determined with a firmness that was impervious to assault
hard may apply to a strong and rigid resistance to pressure or a sound unyielding stability; it may imply unyielding or harsh obduracy
hard coal
hard wood
hard cash
a hard man to deal with
the oppressive conflict between esthetic values and a hard materialistic view of nature and human nature — Victor Lowe
solid , as opposed to fluid, indicates a density and coherence giving fixed form; as opposed to flimsy or unsubstantial, it indicates strong sound stability; in reference to persons, it may imply complete reliability or sobriety
a solid substance
the bungalow was a very solid one — Rudyard Kipling
courses that are solid in purpose and preparation and that are backed up with a maximum of good scholarship — Elizabeth Jacobs
all we knew was that there was something of force and majesty and authority, solid, consistent, and beautiful — R.A.Cram
II. adverb
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English ferm, ferme, from ferm, ferme, adjective
: fixedly , steadfastly , solidly , firmly — used chiefly in the phrases stand firm and hold firm
if England had not stood firm … our way of life would have gone up the flue — Richard Joseph
begged his men to hold firm till relief came
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English fermen, firmen, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fermer, from Latin firmare, from firmus
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to cause to become firm in texture or consistency : made solid or compact
firm cheese
firming a light soil by rolling or harrowing — F.D.Smith & Barbara Wilcox
a new face cream that firms your skin
(2) : to make fast or secure : set firmly : tighten
firm a post in the ground
firming the grip on the sword — Tom Lea
b. : to bolster the courage or resources of : strengthen in some way : encourage
firmed herself with great care for the day — R.O.Bowen
— often used with up
voted a state of siege to firm up his government — Time
unless other factors firm up the … price index substantially, it goes down — Wall Street Journal
his failure to firm up his materialism … with data from the natural and social sciences — P.B.Rice
c. : settle
firm a contract
: confirm , establish
2. obsolete : sign , validate
intransitive verb
1. : to become firm in some way : take clear, definite, or fixed shape : harden , crystallize , jell
his face firmed and he spoke with restrained anger
confidence is firming that the slump will be of short duration
— often used with up
opinion on this is firming up, and it's more optimistic than it was — Kiplinger Washington Letter
the cheese is firming
diplomats said more informal soundings must take place before things firm up — New York Herald Tribune
2. : to recover from a decline : expand or rise after a contraction or fall
after a long decline prices are firming again
— often used with up
cattle prices are firming up
the market firmed up a bit
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish firma, from firmar to affirm, confirm, sign, from Latin firmare
1. obsolete : signature ; especially : official signature of state papers
2.
[German firma, from obsolete German, signature, from Italian, from firmare to sign, from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm]
a. : the name, title, or style under which a company transacts business : the firm name
b. : a partnership of two or more persons not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it — compare company 3
c. : a business unit or enterprise
the organizational framework within which the Soviet firm operates — Holland Hunter