firmament
/ˈfɜːrməmənt/
noun
Origin
Latin
firmamentum — support, prop, strengthening
Overview
Meaning Now
- The heavens or the sky, especially when regarded as a tangible or vaulted structure.
- The vault or arch of the sky.
Literal older meaning
that which is made firm or solid
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
firmament
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered English to represent the biblical concept of the heavens as a solid structure separating the waters above from the earth below, as described in the Book of Genesis.
Evolution
- Latin
firmamentum
“a strengthening, support”
Derived from firmare (to make firm/strengthen).
- Late Latin
firmamentum
“the celestial sphere”
Used in the Vulgate to translate the Hebrew raqia (expanse).
- Middle English
firmament
“the sky”
Adopted through Old French.
Connections
Word parts
firm-
root
firm, stable
-a-
other
connective vowel
-ment
suffix
state or result of an action
Related across languages
French
firmament
Spanish
firmamento
firmament
Italian
firmamento
firmament
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Related to firmament
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.