† fermv.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To establish, make firm.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > initiating or causing to begin > initiate [verb (transitive)] > found or establish
arear?a800
astellc885
planteOE
i-set971
onstellOE
rightOE
stathelOE
raisec1175
stofnec1175
stablea1300
morec1300
ordainc1325
fermc1330
foundc1330
instore1382
instituec1384
establec1386
firmc1425
roota1450
steadfastc1450
establishc1460
institute1483
to set up1525
radicate1531
invent1546
constitute1549
ordinate1555
rampire1555
upset1559
stay1560
erect1565
makea1568
settle1582
stablish1590
seminarize1593
statuminatea1628
hain1635
bottom1657
haft1755
start1824
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 15507 Wyues þey toke, þer loues to ferme Two sones had þey at o terme.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. x. 74 Þat folke is nouȝte fermed in þe feith.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2113 Þay..cussede i-same an haste, To fermye loue by-twene hem.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) x. v. 174 Or thai thar fut steppis ferm, and tak array.
2. To shut up, blockade.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)]
belieOE
besita1100
beset?c1225
assiege1297
besiege1297
belayc1320
umsiegea1325
ensiegec1380
environa1382
to set before1382
siege1390
forset?a1400
foldc1400
setc1400
to lay siege to, unto, about, against, beforec1449
oppugn?a1475
pursue1488
obsess1503
ferma1522
gird1548
begird1589
beleaguer1590
block1591
invest1591
intermure1606
blockade1684
to lay blockade to1713
leaguer1720
to form the siege1776
cerne1857
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close by obstruction or block up
fordita800
forstop?c1225
estopa1420
accloy1422
ferma1522
clam1527
quar1542
cloy1548
dam1553
occlude1581
clog1586
impeach1586
bung1589
gravel1602
impediment1610
stifle1631
foul1642
obstipate1656
obturate1657
choke1669
blockade1696
to flop up1838
jama1865
to ball up1884
gunge1976
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) x. v. 181 He suld not from the sege vprays, Bot styll remane to ferm and closs the town.
1655 J. Jennings tr. J.-P. Camus Elise 2 As a Neptune ferming the winds of sedition in their gale.
3. = affirm v.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)]
vowc1330
anferme1340
affirma1382
willa1382
threapc1386
avow1393
to make oneself strongc1425
maintain?c1430
protest1440
traverse1491
assure1509
ferma1525
verc1540
profess1542
enforce1579
justify1579
aver1582
to take on1583
asserta1604
will1614
assevera1618
positive1656
autume1661
declare1709
obtesta1722
predicate1782
asseveratea1847
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 111 Thus In defence of ye faith as fermes ynewe..The douchty dowglas Is deid.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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