ppl. a. [f. CONFIRM.]
1. Made firm, strengthened, settled, firmly established, etc.: see the verb.
1594. Kyd, Cornelia, V., in Hazl., Dodsley, V. 238. Is this th’ undaunted heart That is required in extremities? Be more confirmed.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, II. i. 359. Hee is of a noble straine, of approued valour, and confirm’d honesty.
1607. Dekker, Wh. Babylon, Wks. 1873, II. 258. Who buildes on heartes confirmd, buildes on a rocke.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. 1842, I. 65. In a confirmed state of health and vigour.
1871. Blackie, Four Phases, I. 116. The State where the habit of obedience is most confirmed.
b. spec. Of a disease: Firmly established in the system; inveterate, chronic.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VII. lxiv. (1495), 281. How soo euer Lepra is gendred vnneth it is curable yf it be confermyd.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg. (MS. A), 100. Þis crampe may be heeled or þat he be confermed, & aftir þat he is confermed seelden or nevere.
1747. Wesley, Prim. Physic (1762), 41. A confirmed Cancer.
2. Of persons: Firmly established in the habit, condition, or practice expressed by the appellative. See CONFIRM v. 3.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, VII. v. I am a confirmed wanderer.
1860. Mrs. H. Wood, Danesbury Ho., xviii. The boys have become confirmed drunkards.
Mod. A confirmed invalid.
3. That has received the rite of confirmation.
4. (See CONFIRM v. 2 c.)
1787. Nelson, 26 July, in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), I. 249. I … recommend him … as worthy of having a confirmed Warrant.
Hence Confirmedly adv., Confirmedness.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., II. xvii. 249. More sureli and confermedli.
1889. Pall Mall G., 13 Sept., 7/1. Every person … who has become confirmedly unfit for work.
1667. Decay Chr. Piety, v. § 29. 244. If the difficulty arise … from the confirm’dness of the habit.
