firmnessn.
/ˈfəːmnəs/, U.S. /ˈfərmnəs/ The state or quality of being firm.
1. Solidity, cohesion, resistance to pressure.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [noun] > firmness
stathelnessOE
sadnessa1398
firmitude?1541
firmness1653
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Persian Wars ii. 52 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Which encreasing by degrees, crumbled and brake the firmeness of the stones.
1661 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mech. (1682) iii. xxxi. 82 In the short history we have published of Fluidity and Firmness.
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 108 Firmness is that coherence which resists percussion, and its opposite is brittleness, or fragility.
1851 W. B. Carpenter Man. Physiol. (ed. 2) 155 The requisite firmness and solidity are given to the animal fabric.
2. The quality of being to a large extent unmoved or immovable; fixedness, stability.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [noun] > stability > condition of being firmly fixed
fastnesseOE
firmitya1450
stablishness1530
firmitude?1541
steadfastnessa1542
firmness1600
fixure1603
security1770
fixation1894
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > [noun]
handfastness1545
firmness1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (2nd issue) iii. i. 47 Make..the continent Weary of solide firmenesse melt it selfe Into the sea.
a1627 J. Hayward Life & Raigne Edward Sixt (1630) 13 Both the easinesse and firmnes [of the union] might be coniectured.
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 89 The whole work seems to be endued with such absolute firmness, as if it had been design'd for Eternity.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. viii. 104 By firmness I mean, not only strength, but stability.
3. † b. Steadfastness of attachment to a person or cause; faithfulness, fidelity. Obsolete.
a. The state or quality of being firm in mind; resolution, steadiness, steadfastness.Hence, in Phrenology, the ‘bump’ or ‘organ’ supposed to indicate the possession of this quality.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [noun]
steadfastnessa1000
anrednessOE
stead-stathelfastness?c1225
stability13..
steadfastshipc1320
traistnessa1340
constance1340
sadnessc1384
unmovablenessc1384
hardnessa1400
steadfastheadc1400
unmobletya1425
firmitya1450
constancy1526
constantness1530
firmitude?1541
firmness1553
stoutness1561
settledness1571
cleaving1580
solidity1607
immovableness1617
staunchness1623
fixedness1626
fixationa1631
unswayednessa1656
steadiness1663
sturdiness1675
unbendingness1824
indomitability1851
indomitableness1860
thick and thin1884
fixity1885
unshakability1907
1553 R. Horne tr. J. Calvin Certaine Homilies ii. sig. Eviij That constauncye and firmnes of minde.
a1684 Earl of Roscommon Wks. (1753) 42 Nor can th' Ægyptian Patriarch blame my muse, Which for his firmness does his heat excuse.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. vi. 518 Cæsar is said to have born the news of her death with an uncommon firmness.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §1. 162 Terrible..as were the sufferings of the English army, Edward's firmness remained unbroken.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [noun] > firm loyalty or constancy
constance1340
firmitya1450
fastnessc1485
substantialness1530
constancy1548
firmnessa1627
a1627 J. Beaumont To Prince Charles in Bosworth-field (1629) 132 Your noble firmenesse to your friend.
1653 E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 11 His Majesty's affection to religion and his firmness to his word.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 279 But that thou shouldst my firmness therfore doubt To God or thee..I expected not to hear. View more context for this quotation
4. Commerce. Steadiness in price, or of prices.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > steadiness in price > [noun]
strength1818
firmness1880
hardening1940
1880 Globe 5 Mar. 5/4 The feature in Foreign Government Securities is the firmness of Peruvian Bonds.
1883 Manch. Examiner 14 Dec. 4/1 There being little inclination to take short bills, owing to a belief that the present firmness will not last.
1890 Daily News 16 Sept. 3/4 The outlays on behalf of this pair did not affect the firmness of Signorina and Nunthorpe, who maintained their Saturday rates.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1553