FIRM

firm, an adjective originally indicating a dense or close consistency, hence steady, unshaken, unchanging or fixed. this word, in m. eng. _ferme_, is derived through the french, from lat. _firmus_. the medieval latin substantive _firma_ meant a fixed payment, either in the way of rent, composition for periodic payments, &c.; and this word, often represented by "firm" in translations of medieval documents, has produced the english "farm" (q.v.). from a late latin use of _firmare_, to confirm by signature, _firma_ occurs in many romanic languages for a signature, and the english "firm" was thus used till the 18th century. from a transferred use came the meaning of a business house. in the partnership act 1890, persons who have entered into partnership with one another are called collectively a firm, and the name under which their business is carried on is called the firm-name.