FIRMLY

firm, firmly, steadfastly, unwaveringly

(adverb) with resolute determination; “we firmly believed it”; “you must stand firm”

hard, firmly

(adverb) with firmness; “held hard to the railing”

securely, firmly

(adverb) in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger; “she held the child securely”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

firmly (comparative firmlier or more firmly, superlative firmliest or most firmly)

(manner) In a firm or definite or strong manner.

(manner) Securely.

Source: Wiktionary


Firm"ly, adv.

Definition: In a firm manner.

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



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Word of the Day

1 June 2025

BACKFIRE

(verb) come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; “Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble”; “the political movie backlashed on the Democrats”


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Coffee Trivia

The earliest credible evidence of coffee-drinking as the modern beverage appeared in modern-day Yemen. In the middle of the 15th century in Sufi shrines where coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed for drinking. The Yemenis procured the coffee beans from the Ethiopian Highlands.

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