firmus Latin · revision 4730

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *dʰer-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''firmus''' (feminine firma, neuter firmum, comparative firmior, superlative firmissimus, adverb firmiter); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*fermo-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*dʰer-mo-|t=holding]], from the root [[ine-pro|*dʰer-|t=to hold]].^(de Vaan 2008) The /i/ may come from /e/ raised after the labial.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[sa|धर्मन्|tr=dhárman-|t=support, law]], [[ae|dar-|t=to hold]] and [[lt|darýti|t=to do]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Georges thought it might be related to [[ferē]] and [[frētus]].^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it was firm and strong of things, sound, steady of the hand or footing, well protected of fortifications, and substantial of food or full-bodied of wine.^(OLD 2012) Caesar uses it of strong branches and Livy of ground firm enough to hold temples.^(Gaffiot 2016) Of persons it meant steadfast, constant and reliable.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) Döderlein contrasts it with [[validus]], strong in the active sense.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was strong, solid, healthy, fledged of birds, and steadfast.^(MLW)^(DMLBS) It survives as [[it|fermo]], [[fr|ferme]], [[es|firme]] and [[ro|ferm]].^(Wiktionary) English ''firm'' and ''farm'' come from it and its derivatives.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro calls Apulian wool more durable (''firmior'').^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''farm'' is recorded as “fixed rent”, from Medieval Latin ''firma'' “fixed payment”.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – English ''firm'' “strong, steady” is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Strong, stout, durable.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Sound, in good condition; steady (of the hand or footing).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Strongly protected, [[m|en|secure]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Substantial (of food); full-bodied (of wine).^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|Steadfast]], constant, reliable.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Healthy; fledged (of birds).^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[firmitās]]

+ * [[firmitūdō]]

+ * [[firmō]]

+ * [[īnfirmus]]

+ * [[firmāmen]]

+ * [[firmāmentum]]

+ * [[firmātor]]

+ * [[firmē]]

+ * [[firmiter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ferē]]

+ * [[fermē]]

+ * [[fortis]]

+ * [[frēnum]]

+ * [[frētus]]

+ * [[en|firm]]

+ * [[en|farm]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}