Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter F

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter F - Page 28

Fire (n.) Ardor of passion, whether love or hate; excessive warmth; consuming violence of temper.

he had fire in his temper. -- Atterbury.

Fire (n.) Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm; capacity for ardor and zeal.

And bless their critic with a poet's fire. -- Pope.

Fire (n.) Splendor; brilliancy; luster; hence, a star.

Stars, hide your fires. -- Shak.

As in a zodiac representing the heavenly fires. -- Milton.

Fire (n.) Torture by burning; severe trial or affliction.

Fire (n.) The discharge of firearms; firing; as, the troops were exposed to a heavy fire.

Blue fire, Red fire, Green fire (Pyrotech.), compositions of various combustible substances, as sulphur, niter, lampblack, etc., the flames of which are colored by various metallic salts, as those of antimony, strontium, barium, etc.

Fire alarm. A signal given on the breaking out of a fire.

Fire alarm. An apparatus for giving such an alarm.

Fire annihilator, A machine, device, or preparation to be kept at hand for extinguishing fire by smothering it with some incombustible vapor or gas, as carbonic acid.

Fire balloon. A balloon raised in the air by the buoyancy of air heated by a fire placed in the lower part.

Fire balloon. A balloon sent up at night with fireworks which ignite at a regulated height. -- Simmonds.

Fire bar, A grate bar.

Fire basket, A portable grate; a cresset. -- Knight.

Fire beetle. (Zool.) See in the Vocabulary.

Fire blast, A disease of plants which causes them to appear as if burnt by fire.

Fire box, The chamber of a furnace, steam boiler, etc., for the fire.

Fire brick, A refractory brick, capable of sustaining intense heat without fusion, usually made of fire clay or of siliceous material, with some cementing substance, and used for lining fire boxes, etc.

Fire brigade, An organized body of men for extinguished fires.

Fire bucket. See under Bucket.

Fire bug, An incendiary; one who, from malice or through mania, persistently sets fire to property; a pyromaniac. [U.S.]

Fire clay. See under Clay.
Fire company, A company of men managing an engine in extinguishing fires.
Fire cross. See Fiery cross. [Obs.] -- Milton.
Fire damp. See under Damp.
Fire dog. See Firedog, in the Vocabulary.
Fire drill. A series of evolutions performed by fireman for practice.

Fire drill. An apparatus for producing fire by friction, by rapidly twirling a wooden pin in a wooden socket; -- used by the Hindoos during all historic time, and by many savage peoples.

Fire eater. A juggler who pretends to eat fire.

Fire eater. A quarrelsome person who seeks affrays; a hotspur. [Colloq.]

Fire engine, A portable forcing pump, usually on wheels, for throwing water to extinguish fire.

Fire escape, A contrivance for facilitating escape from burning buildings.

Fire gilding (Fine Arts), A mode of gilding with an amalgam of gold and quicksilver, the latter metal being driven off afterward by heat.
Fire gilt (Fine Arts), Gold laid on by the process of fire gilding.

Fire insurance, The act or system of insuring against fire; also, a contract by which an insurance company undertakes, in consideration of the payment of a premium or small percentage -- usually made periodically -- to indemnify an owner of property from loss by fire during a specified period.

Fire irons, Utensils for a fireplace or grate, as tongs, poker, and shovel.

Fire main, A pipe for water, to be used in putting out fire.

Fire master (Mil), An artillery officer who formerly supervised the composition of fireworks.

Fire office, An office at which to effect insurance against fire.

Fire opal, A variety of opal giving firelike reflections.

Fire ordeal, An ancient mode of trial, in which the test was the ability of the accused to handle or tread upon red-hot irons. -- Abbot.

Fire pan, A pan for holding or conveying fire, especially the receptacle for the priming of a gun.

Fire plug, A plug or hydrant for drawing water from the main pipes in a street, building, etc., for extinguishing fires.

Fire policy, The writing or instrument expressing the contract of insurance against loss by fire.

Fire pot. (Mil.) A small earthen pot filled with combustibles, formerly used as a missile in war.

Fire pot. The cast iron vessel which holds the fuel or fire in a furnace.

Fire pot. A crucible.

Fire pot. A solderer's furnace.

Fire raft, A raft laden with combustibles, used for setting fire to an enemy's ships.

Fire roll, A peculiar beat of the drum to summon men to their quarters in case of fire.

Fire setting (Mining), The process of softening or cracking the working face of a lode, to facilitate excavation, by exposing it to the action of fire; -- now generally superseded by the use of explosives. -- Raymond.

Fire ship, A vessel filled with combustibles, for setting fire to an enemy's ships.

Fire shovel, A shovel for taking up coals of fire.

Fire stink, The stench from decomposing iron pyrites, caused by the formation of hydrogen sulfide. -- Raymond.

Fire surface, The surfaces of a steam boiler which are exposed to the direct heat of the fuel and the products of combustion; heating surface.

Fire swab, A swab saturated with water, for cooling a gun in action and clearing away particles of powder, etc. -- Farrow.

Fire teaser, In England, the fireman of a steam emgine.

Fire water, A strong alcoholic beverage; -- so called by the American Indians.

Fire worship, The worship of fire, which prevails chiefly in Persia, among the followers of Zoroaster, called Chebers, or Guebers, and among the Parsees of India.

Greek fire. See under Greek.

On fire, Burning; hence, ardent; passionate; eager; zealous.

Running fire, The rapid discharge of firearms in succession by a line of troops.

St. Anthony's fire, Erysipelas; -- an eruptive fever which St. Anthony was supposed to cure miraculously. -- Hoblyn.

St. Elmo's fire. See under Saint Elmo.

To set on fire, To inflame; to kindle.

To take fire, To begin to burn; to fly into a passion.

Fired (imp. & p. p.) of Fire

Fring (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fire

Fire (v. t.) To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile.

Fire (v. t.) To subject to intense heat; to bake; to burn in a kiln; as, to fire pottery.

Fire (v. t.) To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge.

Love had fired my mind. -- Dryden.

Fire (v. t.) To animate; to give life or spirit to; as, to fire the genius of a young man.

Fire (v. t.) To feed or serve the fire of; as, to fire a boiler.

Fire (v. t.) To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.

[The sun] fires the proud tops of the eastern pines. -- Shak.

Fire (v. t.) To cause to explode; as, to fire a torpedo; to disharge; as, to fire a musket or cannon; to fire cannon balls, rockets, etc.

Fire (v. t.) To drive by fire. [Obs.]

Till my bad angel fire my good one out. -- Shak.

Fire (v. t.) (Far.) To cauterize.

Fire (v. t.) to dismiss from employment, a post, or other job; to cause (a person) to cease being an employee; -- of a person. The act of firing is usually performed by that person's supervisor or employer. "You can't fire me! I quit!"

To fire up, To light up the fires of, as of an engine; also, figuratively, to start up any machine.

To fire up, To render enthusiastic; -- of people.

Fire (v. i.) To take fire; to be kindled; to kindle.

Fire (v. i.) To be irritated or inflamed with passion.

Fire (v. i.) To discharge artillery or firearms; as, they fired on the town.

To fire up, To grow irritated or angry. "He . . . fired up, and stood vigorously on his defense." -- Macaulay.

Fire (n.) The event of something burning (often destructive); "they lost everything in the fire."

Fire (n.) The act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy; "hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes"; "they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire" [syn: fire, firing].

Fire (n.) The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke; "fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries" [syn: fire, flame, flaming].

Fire (n.) A fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning; "they sat by the fire and talked."

Fire (n.) Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles).

Fire (n.) Feelings of great warmth and intensity; "he spoke with great ardor" [syn: ardor, ardour, fervor, fervour, fervency, fire, fervidness].

Fire (n.) Fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking; "put the kettle on the fire"; "barbecue over an open fire."

Fire (n.) A severe trial; "he went through fire and damnation."

Fire (n.) Intense adverse criticism; "Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party"; "the government has come under attack"; "don't give me any flak" [syn: fire, attack, flak, flack, blast].

Fire (v.) Start firing a weapon [syn: open fire, fire].

Fire (v.) Cause to go off; "fire a gun"; "fire a bullet" [syn: fire, discharge].

Fire (v.) Bake in a kiln so as to harden; "fire pottery."

Fire (v.) Terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position; "The boss fired his secretary today"; "The company terminated 25% of its workers" [syn: displace, fire, give notice, can, dismiss, give the axe, send away, sack, force out, give the sack, terminate] [ant: employ, engage, hire].

Fire (v.) Go off or discharge; "The gun fired" [syn: fire, discharge, go off].

Fire (v.) Drive out or away by or as if by fire; "The soldiers were fired"; "Surrender fires the cold skepticism."

Fire (v.) Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses); "arouse pity"; "raise a smile"; "evoke sympathy" [syn: arouse, elicit, enkindle, kindle, evoke, fire, raise, provoke].

Fire (v.) Destroy by fire; "They burned the house and his diaries" [syn: burn, fire, burn down].

Fire (v.) Provide with fuel; "Oil fires the furnace" [syn: fuel, fire].

FIRE, () Flexible Intelligent Routing Engine (3Com).

FIRE, () Future Internet Research and Experimentation (Europe, CORDIS)

Fire, () For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions "fire from heaven" and "fire of the Lord" generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9). Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called "strange fire" (Lev. 10:1, 2; Num. 3:4). The victims slain for sin offerings were afterwards consumed by fire outside the camp (Lev. 4:12, 21; 6:30; 16:27; Heb. 13:11).

Fire, () For domestic purposes, such as baking, cooking, warmth, etc. (Jer. 36:22; Mark 14:54; John 18:18). But on Sabbath no fire for any domestic purpose was to be kindled (Ex. 35:3; Num. 15:32-36).

Fire, () Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms of unchastity and incest (Lev. 20:14; 21:9). The burning of captives in war was not unknown among the Jews (2 Sam. 12:31; Jer. 29:22). The bodies of infamous persons who were executed were also sometimes burned (Josh. 7:25; 2 Kings 23:16).

Fire, () In war, fire was used in the destruction of cities, as Jericho (Josh. 6:24), Ai (8:19), Hazor (11:11), Laish (Judg. 18:27), etc. The war-chariots of the Canaanites were burnt (Josh. 11:6, 9, 13). The Israelites burned the images (2 Kings 10:26; R.V., "pillars") of the house of Baal. These objects of worship seem to have been of the nature of obelisks, and were sometimes evidently made of wood.

Torches were sometimes carried by the soldiers in battle (Judg. 7:16).

Fire, () Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah's presence and the instrument of his power (Ex. 14:19; Num. 11:1, 3; Judg. 13:20; 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10, 12; 2:11; Isa. 6:4; Ezek. 1:4; Rev. 1:14, etc.). God's word is also likened unto fire (Jer. 23:29). It is referred to as an emblem of severe trials or misfortunes (Zech. 12:6; Luke 12:49; 1 Cor. 3:13, 15; 1 Pet. 1:7), and of eternal punishment (Matt. 5:22; Mark 9:44; Rev. 14:10; 21:8). The influence of the Holy Ghost is likened unto fire (Matt. 3:11). His descent was denoted by the appearance of tongues as of fire (Acts 2:3).

Fire (n.) (Flames) (A2) [ C or U ] (Material that is in) 火；（燃燒著的）燃料，柴火 The state of burning that produces flames that send out heat and light, and might produce smoke.

// Animals are usually afraid of fire.

// The fire was started by children playing with matches.

// 40 people helped to put out (= stop) the fire.

// The library was badly damaged in the fire.

// How many historic buildings are damaged by fire each year?

// She had to be rescued when her house caught (US caught on) fire (= started to burn).

Fire (n.) (Flames) (B1) [ C ] 火堆；爐火 A small controlled fire that is used for heating or cooking.

// It's very cold in here - should I light a fire?

// We built a fire on the beach.

// We put up our tents and made a small fire.

On fire (B1) 起火，著火 If something is on fire, it is burning when it should not be.

// If your home was on fire and you could save only one thing, what would it be?

Fire (n.) (Flames) [ C ] (UK) 取暖器 A gas or electric heater that is used to warm up a room.

// A gas/electric fire.

// If you're cold just put the fire on.

Fire (n.) (Shoot) (C2) [ U ] 射擊；炮火，火力 The shooting of guns or other weapons.

// The police opened fire on (= started shooting at) the protesters.

// The command was given to cease fire (= stop shooting).

// The city came under fire from anti-government forces last night.

Fire (n.) (Emotion) [ U ] 極度興奮；極為激動；狂熱 Strong emotion.

// The fire in her speech inspired everyone.

See also:

Fiery (a.) (Strong feeling) 充滿激情的；激烈的；火爆的 Showing very strong feeling.

// A fiery debate ensued.

// A fiery temperament/ temper.

// A fiery orator/ speech.

Idiom:

Come under fire (C2) 遭受批評 To be criticized.

// The government has come under fire for its decision to close the mines.

Idiom:

Fire and brimstone 永恆的煎熬（指死後下地獄永不超生的威脅） Used to mean the threat of Hell or damnation (= punishment that lasts for ever) after death.

// The preacher's sermon was full of fire and brimstone.

Idiom:

Go through fire and water (UK Old-fashioned) 赴湯蹈火 To experience many difficulties or dangers in order to achieve something.

Idiom:

Hang/ hold fire (UK) 延緩作出決定 To delay making a decision.

// Ideally we would settle the matter now, but I think we should hang fire until the general situation becomes clearer.

Idiom:

Play with fire (C2) 玩火；冒險 To act in a way that is very dangerous and to take risks.

Idiom:

Set sth/ sb on fire 縱火焚燒；使燃燒 To cause something or someone to start burning.

// A peace activist had set herself on fire in protest over the government's involvement in the war.

Idiom:

Set fire to sth/ sb (C2) 縱火焚燒；使…燃燒 To cause something or someone to start burning.

// The protesters set fire to several vehicles.

Fire (v.) (Shoot) (B2) [ I or T ] 開火，開（槍）；放（箭）；發射（導彈） To cause a weapon to shoot bullets, arrows, or missiles.

// He fired his gun into the air.

// Someone started firing at us.

// Without warning he started firing into the crowd.

// I just prayed that he would stop firing.

// The ambassador denied that any missiles had been fired across the border.

Fire (v.) (Shoot) [ T or I ] 連珠炮似地提出（問題）；猛烈地作出（抨擊） To direct a series of questions or criticisms at someone.

// The journalists were firing questions at me for two whole hours.

// "I'd like to ask you some questions about your childhood." "Fire away!" (= You can start asking them now.)

Fire (v.) (Remove from a job) (B2) [ T ] 解僱，開除 To remove someone from their job, either because they have done something wrong or badly, or as a way of saving the cost of employing them.

// She was fired after she was caught stealing from her employer.

// He was fired from his $165,000 job for poor performance.

// She has just been fired as editor of the newspaper.

// The company is reducing its workforce by firing 500 employees.

Fire (v.) (Excite) (C2) [ T ] 使充滿激情，激發 To cause a strong emotion in someone.

// I had a brilliant English teacher who fired me with enthusiasm for literature at an early age.

// Talk of treasure and lost cities had fired their imaginations.

Fire (v.) (Heat) [ T ] （在窯內）燒製（陶器等） To heat objects made of clay in a kiln (= a special oven) so that they become hard.

Idiom:

Be firing on all cylinders 開足馬力 To be operating as powerfully and effectively as possible.

// Dawson will be firing on all cylinders after two months of fitness training.

Idiom:

In the firing line (Also in the line of fire,) (US Also on the firing line) 易遭到批評（或攻擊、拋棄） Likely to be criticized, attacked, or got rid of.

// He found himself in the firing line for his sexist remarks.

Phrasal verb:

Fire sth off (- Phrasal verb with fire) (v.) (Shot) 開槍射擊 To fire a shot from a gun.

// They fired off several shots to frighten us.

Phrasal verb:

Fire sth off (- phrasal verb with fire) (v.) (Letter) 寄發（言辭激憤的信件） To write and send an angry letter to someone.

// He fired off an angry letter to the editor.

Phrasal verb:

Fire sb up (- Phrasal verb with fire) (v.) 使（某人）激動；令（某人）發怒 To make someone become excited or angry.

// We had an argument about it and she got all fired up.

Grenfell Tower fire (n.) 格蘭菲塔火災 The Grenfell Tower fire started on 14 June 2017 at the 24-storey, 220-foot (67 m) high, Grenfell Tower block of public housing flats in North Kensington, west London. It caused at least 80 deaths [1] and over 70 injuries. A definitive death toll is not expected until at least 2018[1] however the Met Police has said that 18 victims have been formally identified. [2]

Firearm (n.) A gun, pistol, or any weapon from a shot is discharged by the force of an explosive substance, as gunpowder.

Firearm (n.) [ C ] (Formal) （可攜式）火器，槍支 A gun that can be carried easily.

// He was found guilty of possessing an unlicensed firearm.

Fireback (n.) One of several species of pheasants of the genus Euplocamus, having the lower back a bright, fiery red. They inhabit Southern Asia and the East Indies.

Fireball (n.) A ball filled with powder or other combustibles, intended to be thrown among enemies, and to injure by explosion; also, to set fire to their works and light them up, so that movements may be seen.

Fireball (n.) A luminous meteor, resembling a ball of fire passing rapidly through the air, and sometimes exploding.

Firebare (n.) A beacon.

Fire beetle () A very brilliantly luminous beetle (Pyrophorus noctilucus), one of the elaters, found in Central and South America; -- called also cucujo. The name is also applied to other species. See Firefly.

Firebird (n.) The Baltimore oriole.

Fireboard (n.) A chimney board or screen to close a fireplace when not in use.

Firebote (n.) An allowance of fuel. See Bote.

Firebrand (n.) A piece of burning wood.

Firebrand (n.) One who inflames factions, or causes contention and mischief; an incendiary.

Firecracker (n.) See Cracker., n., 3.

Firecracker (n.) [ C ] 爆竹；鞭炮 A firework that makes a loud noise when it explodes.

Firecrest (n.) A small European kinglet (Regulus ignicapillus), having a bright red crest; -- called also fire-crested wren.

Firedog (n.) A support for wood in a fireplace; an andiron.

Firedrake (n.) A fiery dragon.

Firedrake (n.) A fiery meteor; an ignis fatuus; a rocket.

Firedrake (n.) A worker at a furnace or fire.

Fire-fanged (a.) Injured as by fire; burned; -- said of manure which has lost its goodness and acquired an ashy hue in consequence of heat generated by decomposition.

Firefighter (n.) 消防人員 A person whose occupation it is to go to the scene of an unwanted fire and extinguish it; a member of a fire company; a {fireman[1]} or a woman who fights fires.

Firefighter (n.) A member of a fire department who tries to extinguish fires [syn: {fireman}, {firefighter}, {fire fighter}, {fire- eater}].

Firefighter (n.) [ C ] (B1)消防隊員 A person whose job is to stop fires from burning.

Firefish (n.) A singular marine fish of the genus Pterois, family Scorpaenidae, of several species, inhabiting the Indo-Pacific region. They are usually red, and have very large spinose pectoral and dorsal fins.

Fireflaire (n.) A European sting ray of the genus Trygon (T. pastinaca); -- called also fireflare and fiery flaw.

Fireflame (n.) The European band fish (Cepola rubescens).

Fireflies (n. pl. ) of Firefly.

Firefly (n.) Any luminous winged insect, esp. luminous beetles of the family Lampyridae.

Fireless (a.) Destitute of fire.

Firelock (n.) An old form of gunlock, as the flintlock, which ignites the priming by a spark; perhaps originally, a matchlock. Hence, a gun having such a lock.

Firemen (n. pl. ) of Fireman.

Fireman (n.) A man whose business is to extinguish fires in towns; a member of a fire company.

Fireman (n.) A man who tends the fires, as of a steam engine; a stocker.

Fire-new (a.) Fresh from the forge; bright; quite new; brand-new.

Fireplace (n.) The part a chimney appropriated to the fire; a hearth; -- usually an open recess in a wall, in which a fire may be built.

Fireproof (a.) Proof against fire; incombustible.

Fireprrofing (n.) The act or process of rendering anything incombustible; also, the materials used in the process.

Firer (n.) One who fires or sets fire to anything; an incendiary.

Fire-set (n.) A set of fire irons, including, commonly, tongs, shovel, and poker.

Fireside (n.) A place near the fire or hearth; home; domestic life or retirement.

Firestone (n.) Iron pyrites, formerly used for striking fire; also, a flint.

Firestone (n.) A stone which will bear the heat of a furnace without injury; -- especially applied to the sandstone at the top of the upper greensand in the south of England, used for lining kilns and furnaces.

Firetail (n.) The European redstart; -- called also fireflirt.

Firewarden (n.) An officer who has authority to direct in the extinguishing of fires, or to order what precautions shall be taken against fires; -- called also fireward.

Fireweed (n.) An American plant (Erechthites hiercifolia), very troublesome in spots where brushwood has been burned.

Fireweed (n.) The great willow-herb (Epilobium spicatum).

Firewood (n.) Wood for fuel.

Firework (n.) A device for producing a striking display of light, or a figure or figures in plain or colored fire, by the combustion of materials that burn in some peculiar manner, as gunpowder, sulphur, metallic filings, and various salts. The most common feature of fireworks is a paper or pasteboard tube filled with the combustible material. A number of these tubes or cases are often combined so as to make, when kindled, a great variety of figures in fire, often variously colored. The skyrocket is a common form of firework. The name is also given to various combustible preparations used in war.

Firework (n.) A pyrotechnic exhibition.

Fireworm (n.) The larva of a small tortricid moth which eats the leaves of the cranberry, so that the vines look as if burned; -- called also cranberry worm.

Firing (n.) The act of disharging firearms.

Firing (n.) The mode of introducing fuel into the furnace and working it.

Firing (n.) The application of fire, or of a cautery.

Firing (n.) The process of partly vitrifying pottery by exposing it to intense heat in a kiln.

Firing (n.) Fuel; firewood or coal.

Firk (v. t.) To beat; to strike; to chastise.

Firk (v. i.) To fly out; to turn out; to go off.

Firk (n.) A freak; trick; quirk.

Firkin (n.) A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons.

Firkin (n.) A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, -- used for butter, lard, etc.

Firlot (n.) 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.

Firm (a.) 穩固的；牢固的；結實的；堅定的，堅決的；堅挺的；堅實的 Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; -- applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.

Firm (a.) 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.

Firm (a.) Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land.

Firm (a.) Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.

Syn: Compact; dense; hard; solid; stanch; robust; strong; sturdly; fixed; steady; resolute; constant.

Firm (n.) 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 (v. t.) To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish. [Obs.]

And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod. -- Dryden.

Firm (v. t.) To fix or direct with firmness. [Obs.]

He on his card and compass firms his eye. -- Spenser.

Firm (adv.) 穩固地；牢固地 With resolute determination; "we firmly believed it"; "you must stand firm" [syn: {firm}, {firmly},{steadfastly}, {unwaveringly}].

Firm (a.) Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable; "firm convictions"; "a firm mouth"; "steadfast resolve"; "a man of unbendable perseverence"; "unwavering loyalty" [syn: {firm}, {steadfast}, {steady}, {stiff}, {unbendable}, {unfaltering}, {unshakable}, {unwavering}].

Firm (a.) Not soft or yielding to pressure; "a firm mattress"; "the snow was firm underfoot"; "solid ground" [syn: {firm}, {solid}].

Firm (a.) Strong and sure; "a firm grasp"; "gave a strong pull on the rope" [syn: {firm}, {strong}].

Firm (a.) Not subject to revision or change; "a firm contract"; "a firm offer".

Firm (a.) (Of especially a person's physical features) Not shaking or trembling; "his voice was firm and confident"; "a firm step".

Firm (a.) Not liable to fluctuate or especially to fall; "stocks are still firm" [syn: {firm}, {steady}, {unfluctuating}].

Firm (a.) Securely established; "holds a firm position as the country's leading poet".

Firm (a.) Possessing the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue; "firm muscles".

Firm (a.) Securely fixed in place; "the post was still firm after being hit by the car" [syn: {fast}, {firm}, {immobile}].

Firm (a.) Unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause; "a firm ally"; "loyal supporters"; "the true-hearted soldier...of Tippecanoe"- Campaign song for William Henry Harrison; "fast friends" [syn: {firm}, {loyal}, {truehearted}, {fast(a)}].

Firm (n.) The members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a brokerage house" [syn: {firm}, {house}, {business firm}].

Firm (v.) Become taut or tauter; "Your muscles will firm when you exercise regularly"; "the rope tautened" [syn: {tauten}, {firm}].

Firm (v.) Make taut or tauter; "tauten a rope" [syn: {tauten}, {firm}].

Firm (n.) The persons composing a partnership, taken collectively, are called the firm. Sometimes this word is used synonymously with partnership.

Firm (n.) The name of a firm should be distinct from the names of all other firms. When there is a confusion in this respect, the partners composing one firm May, in some cases, be made responsible for the debts of another. For example, where three persons carried on a trade under the firm of King and Company, and two of those persons, with another, under the same firm, carried on another partnership; a bill under the firm, and which was drawn on account of the one partnership, was made the ground of an action of assumpsit against the other. Lord Kenyon was of opinion that this company was liable; that the partner not connected with the company that drew the bill, having traded along with the other partner under that firm, persons taking bills under it, though without his knowledge, had a right to look to him for payment. Peake's N. P. Cas. 80; and see 7 East, R. 210; 2 Bell's Com. 670, 6th ed.; 3 Mart. N. S. 39. But it would seem, 1st. That any act distinctly indicating credit to be given to one of the partnerships, will fix the election of the creditor to that company; and 2d. That making a claim on either of the firms, or, when they are insolvent, on either of the estates, will have the same effect.

Firm (n.) When the style of the firm has been agreed upon, for example, John Doe and Company, the partners who sign the name of the firm are required to use such name in the style adopted, and a departure from it may have the double effect of rendering the individual partner who signs it, personally liable not only to third persons, but to his co-partners; Story, Partn. Sec. 102, 202 and it will be a breach of the agreement, if the partner sign his own name, and add, "for himself and partners." Colly. Partn. B. 2, c. 2, Sec. 2; 2 Jac. & Walk. 266.

Firm (n.) As a general rule a firm will be bound by the acts of one of the partners in the course of their trade and business, and will be discharged by transactions with a single partner. For example, the payment or satisfaction of a debt by a partner, is a satisfaction and payment by them all; and a release to one partner, is in release to them all. Go. Litt. 232 n; 6 T. R. 525. Vide Partner; Partnership.

Firm (n.) It not unfrequently happens that the name of the firm is the name of only one of the partners, and that such partner does business in his own name on his private or separate account. In such case, if the contract be entered into for the firm, and there is express or implied proof of that fact, the partnership will be bound by it; but when there is no such proof, the presumption will be that the debt was contracted by the partner on his own separate account, and the firm will not be responsible. Story on Part. Sec. 139; Colly. on Partn. Book 3, c. 1, Sec. 2; 17 Serg. & Rawle, 165; 5 Mason, 176; 5 Peters, 529; 9 Pick. 274; 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1442, et seq.

Firmament (v. & a.) Fixed foundation; established basis.

Firmament (v. & a.) The region of the air; the sky or heavens.

Firmament (v. & a.) The orb of the fixed stars; the most rmote of the celestial spheres.

Firmamental (a.) Pertaining to the firmament; celestial; being of the upper regions.

Firmans (n. pl. ) of Firman.

Firman (n.) In Turkey and some other Oriental countries, a decree or mandate issued by the sovereign; a royal order or grant; -- generally given for special objects, as to a traveler to insure him protection and assistance.

Firmer-chisel (n.) A chisel, thin in proportion to its width. It has a tang to enter the handle instead of a socket for receiving it.

Firmitude (n.) Strength; stability.

Firmity (n.) Strength; firmness; stability.

Firmless (a.) Detached from substance.

Firmless (a.) Infirm; unstable.

Firmly (adv.) In a firm manner.

Firmness (n.) The state or quality of being firm.

Firms (a.) The principal rafters of a roof, especially a pair of rafters taken together.

Firring (n.) See Furring.

Firry (a.) Made of fir; abounding in firs.

In firry woodlands making moan. -- Tennyson.

First (a.) Preceding all others of a series or kind; the ordinal of one; earliest; as, the first day of a month; the first year of a reign.

First (a.) Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.

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