| 释义 |
firmness|ˈfɜːmnɪs|
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
The state or quality of being firm.
1. Solidity, cohesion, resistance to pressure.
1653Holcroft Procopius ii. 53 Which encreasing by degrees, crumbled and brake the firmeness of the stones. 1661Boyle Spring of Air iii. xxxi. (1682) 82 In the short history we have published of Fluidity and Firmness. 1799Kirwan Geol. Ess. 108 Firmness is that coherence which resists percussion, and its opposite is brittleness, or fragility. 1851Carpenter Man. Phys. (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.
1597Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iii. i. 48 Make the Continent (Wearie of solide firmenesse) melt it selfe Into the Sea. a1627Hayward Edw. VI (1630) 13 Both the easinesse and firmnes [of the union] might be coniectured. 1703Maundrell Journ. Jerus. 89 The whole work seems to be endued with such absolute firmness, as if it had been design'd for Eternity. 1802Paley Nat. Theol. viii. §3 (1819) 86 By firmness I mean not only strength but stability.
3. 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.
1561tr. Calvin's Foure Serm. ii. D ij b, That constauncye and firmnes of minde. a1684Earl of Roscommon Wks. (1753) 42 Nor can th' ægyptian Patriarch blame my muse, Which for his firmness does his heat excuse. 1741Middleton Cicero I. vi. 518 Cæsar is said to have born the news of her death with an uncommon firmness. 1874Green Short Hist. iv. §1. 162 Terrible..as were the sufferings of the English army, Edward's firmness remained unbroken.
†b. Steadfastness of attachment to a person or cause; faithfulness, fidelity. Obs.
a1627Sir J. Beaumont To the Prince 14 Your noble firmenesse to your friend. 1653Sir E. Nicholas in N. Papers (Camden) II. 11 His Majesty's affection to religion and his firmness to his word. 1667Milton P.L. ix. 279 But that thou shouldst my firmness therfore doubt To God or thee..I expected not to hear.
4. Comm. Steadiness in price, or of prices.
1880Globe 5 Mar. 5/4 The feature in Foreign Government Securities is the firmness of Peruvian Bonds. 1883Manch. Exam. 14 Dec. 4/1 There being little inclination to take short bills, owing to a belief that the present firmness will not last. 1890Daily 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. |