Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - firm

~1 n a business or company, especially a small one  (electronics/advertising/law etc firm)  (She works for an electronics firm. | a firm of accountants/solicitors etc)  (Kevin is with a firm of accountants in Birmingham.) ~2 adj 1 »HARD« not completely hard, but not soft and not easy to bend into a different shape  (The sofa cushions are fairly firm. | a firm green apple) 2 »NOT LIKELY« TO MOVE strong or fixed in position, and not likely to move or break  (The ladder felt strong and firm.) 3 »NOT LIKELY« TO CHANGE firm decisions, beliefs etc are not likely to change, because you are sure about them  (The client hasn't reached a firm decision on the matter yet.) 4 »STRONG AND IN CONTROL« behaving or speaking in a way that is strong and that shows you are not likely to change your answer, belief etc  (Cal replied with a polite but firm `no'. | The country needs firm leadership. | be firm with sb)  (You need to be firm with her, or she'll try to take control.) 5 a firm grip/hold/grasp if you have something in a firm hold you are holding it tightly and strongly  (He took a firm grip of my arm and marched me towards the door. | a firm handshake (=in which you hold the other person's hand strongly or tightly)) 6 take a firm stand/line to state your opinion clearly and not be persuaded to change it 7 stand/hold firm to not change your actions or opinions  (Gothard is urging Christians to stand firm against divorce.) 8 »MONEY« not falling in value  (The pound was still firm against the dollar this morning.)  (- see also firm offer) - firmly adv - firmness n ~3 v to press down on soil to make it harder or more solid firm sth up phr v 1 to make arrangements, ideas etc more definite and exact  (We're hoping to firm up the deal later this month.) 2 to make a part of your body have more muscle and less fat by exercising