firm

firm · noun¹

1. Latinfirmo
2. Italianfirmarebf.
3. Italianfirma
4. English todayfirm

From Italian firma (“signature”), from firmare (“to sign”), from Latin firmāre (“to make firm, to confirm (by signature)”), from firmus (“firm, stable”). The contemporary sense developed in the 18th century simultaneously with German Firma (“business, name of business”). There are conflicting statements in the literature as to which of the two languages influenced which. Doublet of dharma and dhamma. Other cognates include Russian держать (deržatʹ, “to hold”).

firm · adjective, adverb²

1. Medieval Latinfirma
2. Medieval Latinferma
3. Old Frenchferme
4. Middle Englishferme
5. English todayfirm

Inherited from Middle English ferme, borrowed from Old French ferme, from Medieval Latin ferma. From Middle English ferme, from Old French ferme, from Latin firmus (“strong, steady”). Doublet of dharma.

firm · verb³

1. Latin · derived fromfirmō
2. Old French · derived fromfermer
3. Middle English · inherited fromfermen“to make firm”
4. English todayfirm

From Middle English fermen (“to make firm”), partly from (either through Old French fermer or directly) Latin firmō, from firmus (“firm”, adjective), and partly a new formation on the adjective.

Words from the same roots