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 .