firm

Etymology 1

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”).

noun

1. (UK, business) A business partnership; the name under which it trades.
2. (business, economics) A business enterprise, however organized.
   Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms.[…]Banks and credit-card firms are kept out of the picture. Talk to enough people in the field and someone is bound to mention the “democratisation of finance”. 2013-06-01, “End of the peer show”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 71
3. (slang) A criminal gang, especially based around football hooliganism.

Etymology 2

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

adj

1. Steadfast, secure, solid (in position)
   It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands.
2. Fixed (in opinion).
   a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent
   firm favourites
   With such constant off-field turmoil Hughton’s work has been remarkable and this may have been his last game in charge. West Bromwich Albion, searching for a replacement for Roy Hodgson, are firm admirers. May 9, 2012, John Percy, “Birmingham City 2 Blackpool 2 (2-3 on agg): match report”, in the Telegraph
3. Insistent upon something, not accepting dissent.
   He wanted to stay overnight, but I was firm with him and said he had to leave today.
4. Durable, rigid (material state)
   firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood; firm land (i.e. not soft and marshy)

adv

1. (now rare) firmly, steadily

Etymology 3

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.

verb

1. (transitive) To make firm or strong; fix securely.
2. (transitive) To make compact or resistant to pressure; solidify.
3. (intransitive) To become firm; stabilise.
4. (intransitive) To improve after decline.
5. (intransitive, Australia) To shorten (of betting odds).
6. (transitive, UK, slang) To select (a higher education institution) as one's preferred choice, so as to enrol automatically if one's grades match the conditional offer.