v. Obs. Also 4 ferme, -ye. [a. OF. ferme-r:—L. firmāre to make fast, f. firm-us firm.]
1. trans. To establish, make firm.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 15507.
| Wyues þey toke, þer loues to ferme, | |
| Two sones had þey at o terme. |
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 74. Þat folke is nouȝte fermed in þe feith.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2112.
| Þay … cussede i-same an haste, | |
| To fermye loue by-twene hem. |
1513. Douglas, Æneis, X. v. 174. Or thai thar fute steppis ferm and tak array.
2. To shut up, blockade.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, X. v. 181.
| Or quham he suld nocht from the sege vprais, | |
| Bot still remane to ferm and clos the toun. |
1655. J. Jennings, trans. Elise, 2. As a Neptune ferming the winds of sedition in their gale.
3. = AFFIRM v.
a. 1455. Holland, Houlate, xli.
| Thus in defence of þe faith, as fermes anew, | |
| And pete of þe pretius knycht þat wes in pane thore, | |
| The duchty Douglass is deid doun adew. |
