A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ferme, v. Also: fereme. [e.m.E. ferme (1303), OF. fermer. Cf. Firme v.] tr. To make firm (in various senses); to fix, strengthen, confirm, etc.a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1578.
God … cesis neuir … Ferly werkis for to wirk, To fereme our treutht and strinth of kirk c1420 Wynt. viii. 40.
Twa erlys … Come chargyd in Scotland wyth message To tret, and ferme a maryage c1450-2 Howlat 888.
Dame Natur … nechit in ane, For to ferme this federem c1475 Wall. xi. 755.
A stalwart wach he maid; Fermyt a sege, and stedfastly abaid 1490 Irland Mir. I. 54/12.
Quhen the innemy tempis thé, thou suld found and ferme the mynd starke in cherite 1513 Doug. iii. x. 7.
With hys burdon, that wes a gret fyr tre, Fermand his steppis 1533 Boece ii. i. 56 b.
The … gude fame of ane noble man pecifyit and fermyt maist new kinrikis a1568 Scott xv. 4.
Art thow nocht … Fermit in grace and free of all thirlage
