firm1

[furm] /fɜrm/
adjective, firmer, firmest.
1.
not soft or yielding when pressed; comparatively solid, hard, stiff, or rigid:
firm ground; firm texture.
2.
securely fixed in place.
3.
not shaking or trembling; steady:
a firm voice.
4.
not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable:
a firm belief.
5.
steadfast or unwavering, as persons or principles:
firm friends.
6.
indicating firmness or determination:
a firm expression.
7.
not fluctuating much or falling, as prices, values, etc.:
The stock market was firm today.
verb (used with object)
8.
to make firm; tighten or strengthen (sometimes followed by up):
to firm up one's hold on something.
9.
to steady or fix (sometimes followed by up):
to firm up prices.
verb (used without object)
10.
to become firm or fixed (sometimes followed by up):
Butter firms by churning.
11.
(of prices, markets, etc.) to recover; become stronger, as after a decline (sometimes followed by up):
Stock prices firmed again today.
adverb, firmer, firmest.
12.
firmly:
He stood firm.
Origin
1300-50; < Latin firmus; replacing Middle English ferm < Middle French < Latin
Related forms
firmly, adverb
firmness, noun
Synonyms
1. Firm, hard, solid, stiff are applied to substances that tend to retain their form unaltered in spite of pressure or force. Firm often implies that something has been brought from a yielding state to a fixed or elastic one: An increased amount of pectin makes jellies firm. Hard is applied to substances so resistant that it is difficult to make any impression upon their surface or to penetrate their interior: as hard as a stone. Solid is applied to substances that without external support retain their form and resist pressure: Water in the form of ice is solid. It sometimes denotes the opposite of hollow: a solid block of marble. Stiff implies rigidity that resists a bending force: as stiff as a poker. 2. fast, stable, immovable. 4. established, confirmed. 5. determined, immovable, staunch, reliable.
Antonyms
1. yielding, soft.

firm2

[furm] /fɜrm/
noun
1.
a partnership or association for carrying on a business.
2.
the name or title under which associated parties transact business:
the firm of Smith & Jones.
Origin
1565-75; < Spanish firma signature (hence, legal name of a partnership, etc.), noun derivative firmar to sign < Latin firmāre to strengthen, confirm, derivative of firmus firm1
Synonyms
1. company, business, concern, house.
Examples from the web for firm
  • The first is a stand-alone and, until lately, extremely successful business which the firm wants to develop.
  • For many years the management consulting business was dominated by one firm.
  • The goal in each case is to create a thriving business so the private equity firm can sell its investment stake at a profit.
  • Up to this point the drawing of character, though light rather than profound, has been firm and persuasive.
  • There is a widely held, simplistic definition of faith as firm belief.
  • Attention to marine conservation science lags far behind that paid to conservation of firm ground, says a scientist.
  • So the next time you're faced with a choice that takes self-control, clench your fist or firm that bicep.
  • Look for clams with siphons that appear fresh, plump and firm.
  • You'll be surprised by how many lovers of firm scrambled eggs are converted by this approach.
  • At one time, the breakup of a big, prestigious law firm was rare.
British Dictionary definitions for firm

firm1

/fɜːm/
adjective
1.
not soft or yielding to a touch or pressure; rigid; solid
2.
securely in position; stable or stationary
3.
definitely established; decided; settled
4.
enduring or steady; constant
5.
having determination or strength; resolute
6.
(of prices, markets, etc) tending to rise
adverb
7.
in a secure, stable, or unyielding manner: he stood firm over his obligation to pay
verb
8.
(sometimes foll by up) to make or become firm
9.
(intransitive) (Austral, horse racing) (of a horse) to shorten in odds
Derived Forms
firmly, adverb
firmness, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Latin firmus

firm2

/fɜːm/
noun
1.
a business partnership
2.
any commercial enterprise
3.
a team of doctors and their assistants
4.
(Brit, slang)
  1. a gang of criminals
  2. a gang of football hooligans
Word Origin
C16 (in the sense: signature): from Spanish firma signature, title of a partnership or business concern, from firmar to sign, from Latin firmāre to confirm, from firmus firm
Word Origin and History for firm
adj.

late 14c., from Old French ferm (12c.) "firm, strong, vigorous, steadfast; loyal, faithful," from Latin firmus "firm, strong, steadfast, enduring, stable," from PIE root *dher- "to hold, support" (cf. Sanskrit dharmah "custom, law," Greek thronos "seat," Lithuanian dirzmas "strong," Welsh dir "hard," Breton dir "steel"). The return in late 1500s to -i- from Middle English ferme was modeled on Latin. Related: Firmly; firmness.

n.

"business house," 1744, from German Firma "a business, name of a business," originally "signature," from Italian firma "signature," from firmare "to sign," from Latin firmare "make firm, affirm," in Late Latin, "confirm (by signature)," from firmus "firm, stable" (see firm (adj.)).

v.

c.1300, fermen "make firm, establish," from Old French fermer (12c.) or directly from Latin firmare, from firmus (see firm (adj.)). Related: Firmed; firming.

Related Abbreviations for firm

FIRM

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