firm
UK: fɜːm | US: fɜːrm
adj. solid, stable, or unyielding
adj. resolute or determined
n. a business or company
vt. to make secure or steady
The word "firm" traces back to Latin firmus, meaning "strong, stable, or steadfast." It entered Middle English via Old French ferme, retaining its core sense of physical and metaphorical solidity. Over time, it expanded to describe businesses (originating from the idea of a "fixed establishment") and actions like "making something secure." The morpheme itself is indivisible in English, representing a compact semantic unit.
The ground was firm after the rain.
She gave a firm refusal to the proposal.
He works at a law firm downtown.
Firm the soil around the plant to help it grow.
Their friendship remained firm despite the challenges.