Firm, a. [Compar. Firmer; superl. Firmest.]
Etymology: [OE. ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law, order, dh to hold fast, carry. Cf. Farm, Throne.]
1. Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; -- applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.
2. 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. Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow But firm battalion. 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.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Compact; dense; hard; solid; stanch; robust; strong; sturdly; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Firm, n.
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.
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for firm; he lists it under faithful, obstinate.
Where he writes about it:
The unyielding conduct which we approve we call decided, firm, inflexible, resolute; that which we condemn we are apt to term headstrong, obstinate, stubborn. — from obstinate