firmo Latin · revision 3870

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Terence|origins=ine-pro *dʰer-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈfɪr.moː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfir.mo]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''firmō''' (present infinitive firmāre, perfect active firmāvī, supine firmātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|firmus|-ō|t1=firm, strong]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ''Firmus'' is [[m|itc-pro|*fermo-]], from [[ine-pro|*dʰer-mo-|t=holding]].^(de Vaan 2008) Compare [[sa|धर्मन्|tr=dhárman|t=support, fixed order]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Terence onwards.^(de Vaan 2008) In Terence a father asks why the girl is not sent for and the dowry he promised confirmed.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to make things strong, to make the body robust, as Cicero's young men hardened by toil, and to fortify a place, as Caesar's strong defences.^(OLD 2012) It meant to reinforce troops, to establish laws and institutions, and to secure advantages.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ It meant to encourage a person, to confirm a treaty, a promise or an omen, to vouch for a statement, and in Tacitus to assert.^(OLD 2012) In Late Latin it meant to confirm by signing, which gave Italian [[m|it|firma|t=signature]] and, through German, English ''firm'' “business” in 1744.^(Etymonline) The adjective ''firm'' comes from ''firmus''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of confirming a dowry.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of strengthening the body.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of fortifying a place.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it in the sense “to assert”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1744 – English ''firm'' (business) is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make firm, [[m|en|strengthen]], support.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make robust (the body).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|fortify]] (a place).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To reinforce (troops).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To establish (laws, institutions).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make safe, ensure.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To encourage, reassure.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To [[m|en|confirm]] (a treaty, a promise).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To vouch for, attest.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To assert, affirm.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[affirmō]]

+ * [[circumfīrmō]]

+ * [[cōnfirmō]]

+ * [[firmāmen]]

+ * [[firmātor]]

+ * [[īnfirmis]]

+ * [[offirmō]]

+ * [[tintinnāculus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[firmus]]

+ * [[en|firm]]

+ * [[en|affirm]]

+ * [[en|confirm]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}