firme Latin · revision 36961
21 Oct 2026, 00:34 by bogdan “New Latin entry (la10k)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *dher-mo-}}
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''firmē''' (comparative firmius, superlative firmissimē)^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[af|la|firmus|-ē|t1=firm, strong]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives the adjective from [[itc-pro|*fermo-]] and [[ine-pro|*dher-mo-|t=holding]], with /i/ perhaps from /e/ raised after a labial.^(de Vaan 2008)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Köbler finds it from Plautus on.^(Köbler 2010) In the ''Miles Gloriosus'' a speaker says ''ego sum tibi firmē fīdus'', “I am steadfastly loyal to you”.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ Its literal sense is firmly or securely, as when Vitruvius wants a base built as solidly as possible.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) More often it is figurative: steadfastly, with conviction, as of believing something firmly in Cicero;^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) with verbs of remembering, soundly, in the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'';^(OLD 2012) and so as to be irrevocable, as of acts confirmed more firmly in one of Cicero's letters.^(OLD 2012) Pliny the Younger pairs it with ''graviter''.^(Conte 2010)
+
+ In British medieval Latin it and ''firmiter'' mean firmly or fast, soundly, and steadfastly or irrevocably.^(DMLBS)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of steadfast loyalty.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of building firmly.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of firm belief and of acts made irrevocable.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Adverb===
+ # [[m|en|firmly|alt=Firmly]], securely, fast.^(OLD 2012)^(DMLBS)
+ # [[m|en|steadfastly|alt=Steadfastly]], unwaveringly, with conviction.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)
+ # With verbs of remembering: soundly, unfalteringly.^(OLD 2012)
+ # So as to be [[m|en|irrevocable]], immutably.^(OLD 2012)^(DMLBS)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[firmiter]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}