firm

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive), Adjective, Adverb
• COUNT in NET: 31 in 31 verses (in OT : 14 in 14 verses) (in NT : 17 in 17 verses)

CIDE DICTIONARY

firm, a. [OE. ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law, order, dh to hold fast, carry. Cf. Farm, Throne.].

•  Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; -- applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.  [1913 Webster]
•  Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose; fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily changed in feelings or will; strong; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent.  [1913 Webster]

  "Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow
  But firm battalion."  [1913 Webster]

  "By one man's firm obediency fully tried."  [1913 Webster]
•  Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land.  [1913 Webster]
•  Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.

Syn. -- Compact; dense; hard; solid; stanch; robust; strong; sturdly; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.

firm, n. [It. firma the (firm, sure, or confirming) signature or subscription, or Pg. firma signature, firm, cf. Sp. firma signature; all fr. L. firmus, adj., firm. See Firm, a.].

 The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts business; a partnership of two or more persons; a commercial house; as, the firm of Hope & Co.  [1913 Webster]

firm, v. t. [OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L. firmare to make firm. See Firm, a.].

•  To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish.  [1913 Webster]

  "And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod."  [1913 Webster]
•  To fix or direct with firmness.  [1913 Webster]

  "He on his card and compass firms his eye."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

firm, adj., adv., & v.
--adj.
1 a of solid or compact structure. b fixed, stable. c steady; not shaking.
2 a resolute, determined. b not easily shaken (firm belief). c steadfast, constant (a firm friend).
3 a (of an offer etc.) not liable to cancellation after acceptance. b (of a decree, law, etc.) established, immutable.
4 Commerce (of prices or goods) maintaining their level or value.
--adv. firmly (stand firm; hold firm to).
--v.
1 tr. & intr. make or become firm, secure, compact, or solid.
2 tr. fix (plants) firmly in the soil.

Derivative

firmly adv. firmness n.

firm, n.
1 a a business concern. b the partners in such a concern.
2 a group of persons working together, esp. of hospital doctors and assistants.

Etymology

earlier = signature, style: Sp. & It. firma f. med.L, f. L firmare confirm f. firmus FIRM(1)

THESAURUS

firm

Aktiengesellschaft, CIA, Central Intelligence Agency, Christian, abiding, accepted, adamant, adamantine, agency, airtight, aktiebolag, anchored, anneal, approved, at a standstill, atelier, authentic, authoritative, balance, balanced, ballast, barbershop, beauty parlor, beauty shop, bench, body corporate, bonded, bristling, bulky, business, business establishment, butcher shop, calcify, calculable, callous, canonical, cartel, case harden, cast-iron, cemented, certain, chamber of commerce, changeless, close, close-knit, close-textured, close-woven, combine, commercial enterprise, compact, compacted, compagnie, company, compressed, concentrated, concern, concrete, condensed, congested, conglomerate, conglomerate corporation, consistent, consolidate, consolidated, consolidating company, consortium, constant, continuing, conventional, cool, copartnership, cornify, corporate body, corporation, correct, counterbalance, crammed, crammed full, crawling, crowded, customary, decided, decisive, definite, dense, dependable, desk, determine, determined, devoted, diversified corporation, dogged, dour, durable, dustproof, dusttight, enduring, enterprise, establish, established, establishment, evangelical, exact, explicit, facility, fail-safe, faithful, faithworthy, fast, fastened, fiducial, firm as Gibraltar, firm up, firmly, fixed, fixedly, flat, flinty, fossilize, freeze, frozen, full, fundamentalist, gasproof, gastight, glued, gluey, going, grim, guaranteed, hard, hard-core, harden, harmless, heavy, hermetic, hermetically sealed, hidebound, hold, holding company, house, immobile, immobilize, immotile, immotive, immovable, immutable, impenetrable, impermeable, imperturbable, implacable, impliable, in equilibrium, indurate, industry, inelastic, inexorable, inflexible, infrangible, installation, institution, intact, intransigent, invincible, inviolate, invulnerable, iron, ironbound, ironclad, ironhanded, irreconcilable, irremovable, jam-packed, jammed, joint-stock association, joint-stock company, keep, lapidify, lasting, lightproof, lighttight, literal, lithify, loft, loyal, made of iron, marble-constant, massive, moored, muscle-bound, nail down, never-failing, nonporous, obdurate, obstinate, of the faith, oilproof, oiltight, operating company, organization, orthodox, orthodoxical, ossify, outfit, packed, parlor, partnership, pat, permanent, perpetual, persistent, petrify, pin down, plunderbund, pokerlike, pool, populous, positive, predictable, prevailing, procrustean, proper, proprietorship, public utility, purist, puristic, puritan, puritanic, quiescent, rainproof, raintight, ramrodlike, received, relentless, reliable, remaining, renitent, resolute, resolve, resolved, retain, right, rigid, rigorist, rigoristic, rigorous, riskless, rock-ribbed, rockbound, rodlike, rugged, scriptural, sealed, secure, serried, set, set on, set up, set upon, settle down, settled, shop, shut fast, smokeproof, smoketight, snug, solid, solidify, solidly, sot, sound, specific, stabilitate, stabilize, stable, standard, standpat, starched, starchy, stated, static, stationary, staunch, staying, steadfast, steadfastly, steady, steel, steely, stern, stick, stiff, stiff as buckram, stipulated, stock company, stormproof, stormtight, stout, straightlaced, straitlaced, strict, strong, stubborn, stuck, studio, sturdy, substantial, sure, surefire, sustained, swarming, sweatshop, syndicate, taped, taut, teeming, temper, tenacious, tense, textual, thick, thick-growing, thickset, tight, tightly, torpid, tough, toughen, trade association, traditional, traditionalistic, transfix, true, true-blue, trust, trustworthy, trusty, unaffected, unalterable, unaltered, unbending, unbreakable, unchangeable, unchanged, unchanging, unchecked, uncompromising, undangerous, undeflectable, undestroyed, undeviating, unfading, unfailing, unfaltering, unflappable, unflinching, ungiving, unhazardous, unmovable, unmoved, unmoving, unperilous, unprecarious, unqualified, unrelaxed, unrelenting, unrisky, unshakable, unshakeable, unshaken, unshifting, unswerving, unvaried, unvarying, unwavering, unyielding, utility, virgate, viscid, viscose, viscous, vitrify, warranteed, water-repellant, waterproof, watertight, wedged, well-balanced, well-built, well-constructed, well-founded, well-grounded, well-made, windproof, windtight, without nerves, work site, work space, workbench, workhouse, working space, workplace, workroom, workshop, worktable

ROGET THESAURUS

firm

Resolution

N resolution, determination, will, iron will, unconquerable will, will of one's own, decision, resolution, backbone, clear grit, true grit, grit, sand, strength of mind, strength of will, resolve, firmness, energy, manliness, vigor, game, pluck, resoluteness, zeal, aplomb, desperation, devotion, devotedness, mastery over self, self control, self command, self possession, self reliance, self government, self restraint, self conquest, self denial, moral courage, moral strength, perseverance, tenacity, obstinacy, bulldog, British lion, resolved, determined, strong-willed, strong-minded, resolute, self-possessed, decided, definitive, peremptory, tranchant, unhesitating, unflinching, unshrinking, firm, iron, gritty, indomitable, game to the backbone, inexorable, relentless, not to be shaken, not to be put down, tenax propositi, inflexible, obstinate, steady, earnest, serious, set upon, bent upon, intent upon, steel against, proof against, in utrumque paratus, resolutely, in earnest, in good earnest, seriously, joking apart, earnestly, heart and soul, on one's mettle, manfully, like a man, with a high hand, with a strong hand, at any rate, at any risk, at any hazard, at any price, at any cost, at any sacrifice, at all hazards, at all risks, at all events, a' bis ou a blanc, cost what it may, coute, a tort et a travers, once for all, neck or nothing, rain or shine, spes sibi quisque, celui qui veut celui-la peut, chi non s'arrischia non guadagna, frangas non flectes, manu forti, tentanda via est.

Junction

N junction, joining, joinder, union connection, conjunction, conjugation, annexion, annexation, annexment, astriction, attachment, compagination, vincture, ligation, alligation, accouplement, marriage infibulation, inosculation, symphysis, anastomosis, confluence, communication, concatenation, meeting, reunion, assemblage, coition, copulation, sex, sexual congress, sexual conjunction, sexual intercourse, love-making, joint, joining, juncture, pivot, hinge, articulation, commissure, seam, gore, gusset, suture, stitch, link, miter mortise, closeness, tightness coherence, combination, annexationist, joined, joint, conjoint, conjunct, corporate, compact, hand in hand, firm, fast, close, tight, taut, taught, secure, set, intervolved, inseparable, indissoluble, insecable, severable, jointly, in conjunction with, fast, firmly intimately, tria juncta in uno.

Party

N party, faction, side, denomination, communion, set, crew, band, horde, posse, phalanx, family, clan, team, tong, council, community, body, fellowship, sodality, solidarity, confraternity, familistere, familistery, brotherhood, sisterhood, knot, gang, clique, ring, circle, group, crowd, in-crowd, coterie, club, casino, machine, Tammany, Tammany Hall, corporation, corporate body, guild, establishment, company, copartnership, partnership, firm, house, joint concern, joint-stock company, cahoot, combine, trust, society, association, institute, institution, union, trades union, league, syndicate, alliance, Verein, Bund, Zollverein, combination, Turnverein, league offensive and defensive, alliance offensive and defensive, coalition, federation, confederation, confederacy, junto, cabal, camarilla, camorra, brigue, freemasonry, party spirit, Confederates, Conservatives, Democrats, Federalists, Federals, Freemason, Knight Templar, Kuklux, Kuklux Klan, KKK, Liberals, Luddites, Republicans, Socialists, Tories, Whigs staff, dramatis personae, in league, in partnership, in alliance, bonded together, banded together, linked, joined together, embattled, confederated, federative, joint, hand in hand, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, en masse, in the same boat.

Merchant

N merchant, trader, dealer, monger, chandler, salesman, changer, regrater, shopkeeper, shopman, tradesman, tradespeople, tradesfolk, retailer, chapman, hawker, huckster, higgler, pedlar, colporteur, cadger, Autolycus, sutler, vivandiere, costerman, costermonger, tallyman, camelot, faker, vintner, money broker, money changer, money lender, cambist, usurer, moneyer, banker, jobber, broker, buyer, seller, bear, bull, concern, firm.

Stability

N stability, immutability, unchangeability unchangeableness, constancy, stable equilibrium, immobility, soundness, vitality, stabiliment, stiffness, ankylosis, solidity, aplomb, establishment, fixture, rock, pillar, tower, foundation, leopard's spots, Ethiopia's skin, permanence, obstinacy, unchangeable, immutable, unaltered, unalterable, not to be changed, constant, permanent, invariable, undeviating, stable, durable, perennial, fixed, steadfast, firm, fast, steady, balanced, confirmed, valid, fiducial, immovable, irremovable, riveted, rooted, settled, established, vested, incontrovertible, stereotyped, indeclinable, tethered, anchored, moored, at anchor, on a rock, rock solid, firm as a rock, firmly seated, firmly established, deep-rooted, ineradicable, inveterate, obstinate, transfixed, stuck fast, aground, high and dry, stranded, stuck, jammed, unremovable, quiescent, deterioration, indefeasible, irretrievable, intransmutable, incommutable, irresoluble, irrevocable, irreversible, reverseless, inextinguishable, irreducible, indissoluble, indissolvable, indestructible, undying, imperishable, incorruptible, indelible, indeciduous, insusceptible, insusceptible of change, Int, stet, littera scripta manet.

Courage

N courage, bravery, valor, resoluteness, boldness, spirit, daring, gallantry, intrepidity, contempt of danger, defiance of danger, derring-do, audacity, rashness, dash, defiance, confidence, self-reliance, manliness, manhood, nerve, pluck, mettle, game, heart, heart of grace, spunk, guts, face, virtue, hardihood, fortitude, intestinal fortitude, firmness, heart of oak, bottom, backbone, spine, resolution, bulldog courage, prowess, heroism, chivalry, exploit, feat, achievement, heroic deed, heroic act, bold stroke, man, man of mettle, hero, demigod, Amazon, Hector, lion, tiger, panther, bulldog, gamecock, fighting-cock, bully, fire eater, courageous, brave, valiant, valorous, gallant, intrepid, spirited, spiritful, high-spirited, high-mettled, mettlesome, plucky, manly, manful, resolute, stout, stout-hearted, iron-hearted, lion-hearted, heart of oak, Penthesilean, bold, bold-spirited, daring, audacious, fearless, dauntless, dreadless, aweless, undaunted, unappalled, undismayed, unawed, unblanched, unabashed, unalarmed, unflinching, unshrinking, unblanching, unapprehensive, confident, self-reliant, bold as a lion, bold as brass, enterprising, adventurous, venturous, venturesome, dashing, chivalrous, soldierly, heroic, fierce, savage, pugnacious, strong-minded, hardy, doughty, firm, determined, dogged, indomitable, up to, up to the scratch, upon one's mettle, reassured, unfeared, undreaded, one's blood being up, courage sans peur, fortes fortuna adjuvat, have I not in my time heard lions roar, I dare do all that may become a man, male vincetis sed vincite, omne solum forti patria, self-trust is the essence of heroism, stimulos dedit oemula virtus, strong and great, a hero, teloque animus proestantior omni, there, is always safety in valor, virtus ariete fortier.

Hardness

N hardness, rigidity, renitence, renitency, inflexibility, temper, callosity, durity, induration, petrifaction, lapidification, lapidescence, vitrification, ossification, crystallization, stone, pebble, flint, marble, rock, fossil, crag, crystal, quartz, granite, adamant, bone, cartilage, hardware, heart of oak, block, board, deal board, iron, steel, cast iron, decarbonized iron, wrought iron, nail, brick, concrete, cement, hard, rigid, stubborn, stiff, firm, starch, starched, stark, unbending, unlimber, unyielding, inflexible, tense, indurate, indurated, gritty, proof, adamant, adamantine, adamantean, concrete, stony, granitic, calculous, lithic, vitreous, horny, corneous, bony, osseous, ossific, cartilaginous, hard as a rock, stiff as buckram, stiff as a poker, stiff as starch, stiff as as board.