In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
FIRMING
Adjective
firming (not comparable)
Of beauty products, intended to make the skin firmer.
Verb
firming
present participle of firm
Source: Wiktionary
FIRM
Firm, a. [Compar. Firmer; superl. Firmest.] Etym: [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.
Syn.
– Compact; dense; hard; solid; stanch; robust; strong; sturdly; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.
Firm, n. Etym: [It. firma the (firm, sure, or confirming) signature or subscription, or Pg. firma signature, firm, cf. Sp. firma signature; all fr. L. firmus, adj., firm. See Firm, a]
Definition: 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. Etym: [OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L. firmare to make firm. See Firm, a.]
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
16 April 2025
RACY
(adjective) marked by richness and fullness of flavor; “a rich ruby port”; “full-bodied wines”; “a robust claret”; “the robust flavor of fresh-brewed coffee”
Coffee Trivia
