firm

firm¹
adjective

having a solid, almost unyielding surface or structure
坚固的，结实的
the bed should be reasonably firm, but not too hard.
床应该相当坚固，但又不能太硬。
■solidly in place and stable
稳固的，岿然不动的
no building can stand without firm foundations.
没有牢固的地基，任何建筑都是建不起来的。
he was unable to establish the shop on a firm financial footing.
他没有能力把店建立在雄厚的经济基础上。
■having steady but not excessive power or strength
紧紧（而不过分用力）的
you need a firm grip on the steering.
你得抓紧方向盘。
■(of a person, action, or attitude) showing resolute determination and strength of character
（人、行为或态度）坚决的；坚定的；坚贞的
he didn't like being firm with Lennie, but he had to.
他不想跟伦妮来硬的，但不这样又不行。
strongly felt and unlikely to change
坚定的
he retains a firm belief in the efficacy of prayer.
他仍对祷告的作用坚信不疑。
■(of a person) steadfast and constant
（人）坚定的；忠诚的
we became firm friends.
我们成了莫逆之交。
■decided upon and fixed or definite
既定的；确定的；明确的
she had no firm plans for the next day.
她对第二天没有明确的计划。
■(of a currency, a commodity, or shares) having a steady value or price which is more likely to rise than fall
（货币、物价或股价）坚挺的，稳定的
the pound was firm against the dollar.
英镑对美元比价坚挺。

verb

[with obj.]make (something) physically solid or resilient
使坚固，使牢实；使有弹性
how can I firm up a sagging bustline?.
我怎样才能让下垂的胸部坚挺起来呢？。
■fix (a plant) securely in the soil
把（植物）固定在土中
■[no obj.](of a price) rise slightly to reach a level considered secure
（价格）小幅回升（或上扬至安全价位）
he believed house prices would firm by the end of the year.
他认为房价年末会小幅回升。
[with complement]the shares firmed 15p to 620p.
股价上涨15便士，达到620便士。
■make (an agreement or plan) explicit and definite
使（协议，计划）清楚明了；使确定；使明确
the agreements still have to be firmed up.
协议仍有待确定。

adverb

in a resolute and determined manner
坚定地；坚决地
the Chancellor has held firm to tough economic policies.
总理坚定不移地奉行强硬的经济政策。
she will stand firm against the government's proposal.
她会坚决抵制政府的提议。

常用词组
be on firm ground

be sure of one's facts or secure in one's position, especially in a discussion
（尤指讨论中）理直气壮

a firm hand

strict discipline or control
严格的约束（或管制）；铁腕

派生
firmly
adverb
firmness
noun
语源

Middle English: from Old French ferme, from Latin firmus

firm²
noun

a business concern, especially one involving a partnership of two or more people
公司；商行；事务所
a firm of estate agents.
房地产经纪公司。
■a group of hospital doctors working as a team, headed by a consultant
（会诊医生领导下的）医务工作组

语源

late 16th cent.: from Spanish and Italian firma, from medieval Latin, from Latin firmare 'fix, settle' (in late Latin 'confirm by signature'), from firmus 'firm'; compare with farm. The word originally denoted one's autograph or signature; later (mid 18th cent.) the name under which the business of a firm was transacted, hence the firm itself (late 18th cent.)

热门查询

考试词汇表