firm
n. countablen. a company or business that sells products or services. It is often used for professional groups like lawyers or accountants.
n. a commercial partnership or business entity, especially one involving two or more people. Often used specifically to describe professional service providers such as legal or architectural practices.
She works for a large law firm in the city.
After ten years of working for others, he decided to start his own consulting firm.
The merger between the two rival firms created a dominant market entity that raised significant antitrust concerns among federal regulators.
From Italian firma (“signature”), from firmare (“to sign”), from Latin firmāre (“to make firm, to confirm (by signature)”), from firmus (“firm, stable”). The contemporary sense developed in the 18th century simultaneously with German Firma (“business, name of business”). There are conflicting statements in the literature as to which of the two languages influenced which. Doublet of dharma and dhamma. Other cognates include Russian держать (deržatʹ, “to hold”).
From Middle English ferme, from Old French ferme, from Latin firmus (“strong, steady”). Doublet of dharma.
From Middle English fermen (“to make firm”), partly from (either through Old French fermer or directly) Latin firmō, from firmus (“firm”, adjective), and partly a new formation on the adjective.
Commonly used for professional services (law, accounting, consulting) rather than retail or manufacturing companies.