▪ I. † ˈfirmity1 Obs.
Also 5–6 fermete, -itie, 6–7 firmitie, -yte.
[a. OF. fermeté, f. ferme firm a.; refashioned after firm and -ity.]
1. Firmness, solidity, stability. Also, moral firmness, firm allegiance, constancy.
| a 1450 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 Bury Wills (1850) 59 For the more fermete and stedfastenes therof, and that yt perpetually shulde indure. 1563 W. Fulke Meteors (1640) 25 b, There was no firmity or strength in it [the ayre] to beare them [birds] up. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie ii. (Arb.) 113 The square..for his owne stay and firmitie requireth none other base then himselfe. 1638 Chillingworth Rel. Prot. i. vi. §7. 329 The strength and firmity of my assent. a 1656 Ussher Ann. vi. (1658) 337 Pyrrhus, doubting the firmity of the Macedons unto him, yielded thereto. c 1729 Earl of Ailesbury Mem. (1890) 51 His firmity and presence of mind. |
2. A means of strengthening; an assurance.
| 1523 St. Papers Hen. VIII, 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. |
▪ II. † ˈfirmity2 Obs.—1
Aphetic f. infirmity.
| 1426 Audelay Poems 31 To socour ham, in here fyrmeté. |