| firm | 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. Synonym: Compact, dense, hard, solid, stanch, robust, strong, sturdly, fixed, steady, resolute, constant. Origin: OE. Ferme, F. Ferme, fr.L. Firmus; cf. Skr. Dharman support, law, order, dh to hold fast, carry. Cf. Farm, Throne. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| firm power | (firm energy) Power which is guaranteed by the supplier to be available at all times during a period covered by a commitment. That portion of a customer's energy load for which service is assured by the utility provider. (05 Dec 1998) |
| firmament | 1. Fixed foundation; established basis. "Custom is the . . . Firmament of the law." (Jer. Taylor) 2. The region of the air; the sky or heavens. "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the mist of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." (Gen. I. 6) "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament." (Gen. I. 14) In Scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; the great arch or expanse over out heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen. 3. The orb of the fixed stars; the most rmote of the celestial spheres. Origin: L. Firmamentum, fr. Firmare to make firm: cf. F. Firmament. See Firm, v. &. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |