firmare Italian · revision 38443

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1566, Annibal Caro (as firmato)|origins=ine-pro *dʰer-mo-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /firˈma.re/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''firmare''' (first-person singular present fìrmo, first-person singular past historic firmài, past participle firmàto, auxiliary avére)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|firmō|alt=firmāre|t=to make firm; to confirm]], a learned word, from [[m|la|firmus|t=firm, steady]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Wiktionary) Its popular doublet is [[fermare]] “to stop”, inherited from the same Latin verb.^(DELI 1999)^(Wiktionary)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) The noun [[firma]] “signature” was formed from the verb.^(DELI 1999)

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+ The learned form is also [[es|firmar]] and [[pt|firmar]], beside the inherited [[fr|fermer]] “to close” and [[ca|fermar]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(REW 1935) De Vaan derives [[m|la|firmus]] from [[itc-pro|*fermo-]] and [[ine-pro|*dʰer-mo-|t=holding]], with ⟨i⟩ for an older ⟨e⟩ after a labial.^(de Vaan 2008)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ DELI's first record of the verb, “to sign with one's own name”, is in Alessandro Tassoni, before 1635, and the participle ''firmato'' is already in Annibal Caro, before 1566, the date GRADIT and Devoto–Oli give.^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026) Zingarelli dates the verb to before 1463.^(Zingarelli 2010) Tassoni writes that he sent a declaration to the ambassador, begging him to sign it in his own hand (''volermela firmare di sua mano'').^(GDLI) DEI records an older Italian ''firmare'' of the 14th century, “to fortify, strengthen”.^(DEI|1653)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From signing documents the verb passed to ratifying treaties and laws: D'Azeglio refused to sign a treaty that did not recognise the principle of Italian nationality.^(GDLI)^(GRADIT 2003) The noun ''firma'' is first recorded in 1618, and ''mettere la firma'', first a military phrase for signing on for further service, came to mean “to agree gladly” (1943).^(DELI 1999)

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+ Modern Italian also says that a designer “signs” a product line, that criminals “sign” an attack that shows their hand, and in sport that a player ''firma'' a goal.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) Set phrases are ''firmare in bianco'', to sign a blank document or to commit oneself without knowing the terms, and ''firmare la propria condanna'', to bring about one's own ruin.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

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+ ==Timeline==

+ * 14th century – DEI records an older ''firmare'' “to fortify”.^(DEI|1653)

+ * Before 1566 – Annibal Caro uses the participle ''firmato''.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1618 – The noun ''firma'' is first recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1635 – Tassoni uses ''firmare'' “to sign”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1869 – ''Firmatario'' “signatory” is recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(transitive)'' To [[m|en|sign]] (a document, a cheque, a painting) with one's name: ''Firmi qui in fondo, per favore.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(transitive)'' To ratify by signing: ''Le due parti hanno firmato l'accordo.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(transitive)'' To mark with one's name as a [[m|en|brand]]; of a crime, to commit it in a way that reveals the author.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(transitive, sport)'' To score: ''Il terzino ha firmato il pareggio.''^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+ # ''(pronominal)'' ''firmarsi'': to sign oneself, to sign with a certain name.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[firma]]

+ * [[firmatario]]

+ * [[controfirma]]

+ * [[controfirmare]]

+ * [[firmaiolo]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fermare]]

+ * [[fermo]]

+ * [[la|firmus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}