Firlot
(Fir"lot) n. [Scot., the fourth part of a boll of grain, from a word equiv. to E. four + lot part, portion.
See Firkin.] A dry measure formerly used in Scotland; the fourth part of a boll of grain or meal. The
Linlithgow wheat firlot was to the imperial bushel as 998 to 1000; the barley firlot as 1456 to 1000. Brande
& C.
Firm
(Firm) a. [Compar. Firmer ; superl. Firmest.] [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
(Firm), n. [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.] 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
(Firm), v. t. [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. Firmament
(Fir"ma*ment) n. [L. firmamentum, fr. firmare to make firm: cf. F. firmament. See Firm,
v. & a.]
1. Fixed foundation; established basis. [Obs.]
Custom is the . . . firmament of the law.
Jer. Taylor. 2. The region of the air; the sky or heavens.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the
waters.
Gen. i. 6.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament.
Gen. i. 14. In Scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; the great arch or expanse over out heads, in
which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are
really seen.
