Middle English Dictionary Entry
fermelī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | fermelī adv. Also firmely. |
| Etymology | From adj. ferm. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Fixedly; (b) faithfully, resolutely; ~ and treuli, ~ and worthili; (c) firmly, securely; (d) with certainty.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)126b/b : And þat þe pacient stand fermeli [L firme], nameli about þe heued.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.309 : I purposed fermely to shryue me.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.495 : Lat us holde forth oure purpos fermely.
- (1432) Paston2.36 : Thei shul fermely and trewely assisten him.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)8 : Yf ye woll firmely stand by that at I shall say to the Kyng.
- (1464) Let.Ormond in Fortescue Works24 : I counseille you not to truste fermely theruppone.
- (1464) Let.Ormond in Fortescue Works26 : The more partye of..England..kepyne truwely and fermely theire faithe and love to the kynge.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)153 : That the kyngys [read: thinges] above sayde ben holly fullefyllyde fyrmely and worthely, the above sayde comyssourys..have sette hyr sealys.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)5824 : I the charge That thow be-leue yt stedefastly, And put no doute, but fermely Truste ay so.
- a1500 *Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149:Hulme)256a : Pylat comaunded hem that they schuld hoolde fermely the Mawmetes.
c
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1488 : That I..Were in youre herte iset as fermely As ye in myn.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1543 : And fermely impressen in his mynde The leeste point that to him was plesaunce.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)120 : Wich thynge yff hit be ffermely estableshed, the kynges ordinarie charges may alway be paid in hande.
d
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.10.40 : This is concluded..feermely and soothfastly.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)380 : So weel and so firmeli and stabili and openli it is proued.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.179 : That þis..be preued fermely, Beholde and see what I schal forther seyn.