firmer

adjective, firm·er, firm·est.

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, firm·er, firm·est.

12. firmly: He stood firm.

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 mannerhe stood firm over his obligation to pay

verb

8. (sometimes foll by up) to make or become firm
9. (intr) Australian horse racing (of a horse) to shorten in odds

noun

1. a business partnership
2. any commercial enterprise
3. a team of doctors and their assistants
4. British slang
   1. a gang of criminals
   2. a gang of football hooligans

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.

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.)).