† firmityn.1
Obsolete.
1. Firmness, solidity, stability. Also, moral firmness, firm allegiance, constancy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [noun]
steadfastnessa1000
anrednessOE
stead-stathelfastness?c1225
stability13..
steadfastshipc1320
traistnessa1340
constance1340
sadnessc1384
unmovablenessc1384
hardnessa1400
steadfastheadc1400
unmobletya1425
firmitya1450
constancy1526
constantness1530
firmitude?1541
firmness1553
stoutness1561
settledness1571
cleaving1580
solidity1607
immovableness1617
staunchness1623
fixedness1626
fixationa1631
unswayednessa1656
steadiness1663
sturdiness1675
unbendingness1824
indomitability1851
indomitableness1860
thick and thin1884
fixity1885
unshakability1907
the world > movement > absence of movement > [noun] > stability > condition of being firmly fixed
fastnesseOE
firmitya1450
stablishness1530
firmitude?1541
steadfastnessa1542
firmness1600
fixure1603
security1770
fixation1894
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [noun] > firm loyalty or constancy
constance1340
firmitya1450
fastnessc1485
substantialness1530
constancy1548
firmnessa1627
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 83 [It] were to long to compte the tenthe party of her fermete, for they ouercome the deuelle and hys temptaciones.
1480 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 59 For the more fermete and stedfastenes therof, and that yt perpetually shulde indure.
1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors iii. f. 25v There was no firmitie, or strengthe in it [the ayre] to beare them [birds] vp.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xi. 83 The square..for his owne stay and firmitie requireth none other base then himselfe.
1638 W. Chillingworth Relig. Protestants i. vi. §7. 329 The strength and firmity of my assent.
a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) vi. 337 Pyrrhus, doubting the firmity of the Macedons unto him, yielded thereto.
c1729 Earl of Ailesbury Mem. (1890) 51 His firmity and presence of mind.
2. A means of strengthening; an assurance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > [noun] > an assurance
firmity1523
warrantise1586
assurance1609
insurance1710
1523 in State Papers Henry VIII (1836) IV. 94 If mariage myght be goten on this side and that side, it woll be..good for bothe the realmes, and a firmyte of kindnes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
† firmityn.2
Obsolete. rare.
= infirmity n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [noun]
unhealc700
untrumnessc897
adleeOE
sicknessc967
cothec1000
unhealthc1000
woe?a1200
ail?c1225
lying?c1225
maladyc1275
unsoundc1275
feebless1297
languora1375
languishc1384
disease1393
aegritudea1400
lamea1400
maleasea1400
soughta1400
wilc1400
malefaction?a1425
firmityc1426
unwholesomenessc1449
ill1450
languenta1500
distemperancea1535
the valley of the shadow of death1535
affect?1537
affection?1541
distemperature1541
inability1547
sickliness1565
languishment1576
cause1578
unhealthfulness1589
crazedness1593
languorment1593
evilness1599
strickenness1599
craziness1602
distemper1604
unsoundness1605
invaletude1623
unhealthiness1634
achaque1647
unwellness1653
disailment1657
insalubrity1668
faintiness1683
queerness1687
invalidity1690
illness1692
ill health1698
ailment1708
illing1719
invalescence1724
peakingness1727
sickishness1727
valetudinariness1742
ailingness1776
brash1786
invalidism1794
poorliness1814
diseasement1826
invalidship1830
valetudinarianism1839
ailing1862
invalidhood1863
megrims1870
pourriture1890
immersement1903
bug1918
condition1920
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 29 To socour ham in here fyrmete.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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n.1a1450n.2c1426