Where does “firmly” come from?
Firmly derives from English firm, from Italian firma, from Latin firmare meaning "to make firm," from Latin firmus meaning "firm," from Proto-Indo-European dʰer- meaning "to hold" or "support."
firmly (English): In a firm or definite or strong manner; Securely
Definitions
- In a firm or definite or strong manner; Securely
Ancestry of “firmly”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | fermely | — |
| 2 | Middle English | ferme | — |
| 3 | Old French | ferme | lease; the land leased; farm |
| 4 | Medieval Latin | ferma | Alternative form of firma |
| 5 | Latin | Firma | — |
| 6 | Latin | Firmus | — |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | fermos | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer-mo-s | holding |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer- | to support; to hold |