Part 159

Milton.

By one man's firm obediency fully tried.

Milton.

3. Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land.

4. 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.

Firm, v. t. [OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L. firmare to make firm. See Firm, a.] 1. To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish. [Obs.]

And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod.

Dryden.

2. To fix or direct with firmness. [Obs.]

He on his card and compass firms his eye.

Spenser.

Fir"ma*ment (?), n. [L. firmamentum, fr. firmare to make firm: cf. F. firmament. See Firm, v. & a.] 1. Fixed foundation; established basis. [Obs.]

Custom is the . . . firmament of the law.

Jer. Taylor.

2. The region of the air; the sky or heavens.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Gen. i. 6.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament.

Gen. i. 14.

In Scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; the great arch or expanse over out heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen.

3. (Old Astron.) The orb of the fixed stars; the most rmote of the celestial spheres.

Fir`ma*men"tal (?), a. Pertaining to the firmament; celestial; being of the upper regions. Dryden.

Fir"man (? or ?), n.; pl. Firmans (#) or (#). [Pers. fermn.] In Turkey and some other Oriental countries, a decree or mandate issued by the sovereign; a royal order or grant; -- generally given for special objects, as to a traveler to insure him protection and assistance. [Written also firmaun.]

Firm"er-chis"el (?), n. A chisel, thin in proportion to its width. It has a tang to enter the handle instead of a socket for receiving it. Knight.

Firm"i*tude (?), n. [L. firmitudo. See Firm.] Strength; stability. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Firm"i*ty (?), n. [L. firmitas.] Strength; firmness; stability. [Obs.] Chillingworth.