Where does “firmless” come from?

firmless (English) comes from English firm, from Middle English ferme, from Old French ferme, from Medieval Latin ferma, from Latin Firma, from Latin Firmus, from Proto-Italic fermos, from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-mo-s — to support; to hold.

firmless (English): Detached from physical substance; Infirm;...

Definitions

  1. Detached from physical substance; Infirm;...

Ancestry of “firmless”, step by step

firmless traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English firm

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfirmA business partnership; the name under which it...
2Middle EnglishfermeA lease; the renting of land
3Old Frenchfermelease; the land leased; farm
4Medieval LatinfermaAlternative form of firma
5LatinFirmatax, tribute
6LatinFirmusstrong, powerful
7Proto-Italicfermos
8Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-mo-sholding
9Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-to support; to hold

via English less

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlessTo a smaller extent or degree; comparative form...
2Middle Englishlesfalse; lying; deceptive; falsehood; a lie
3Old Englishlēasfalse, lax; false, void, loose; devoid of, loose...
4Proto-Germanic*laus
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-mo-sEvery word from Proto-Italic fermos