No sooner's taken but he straight firks mad.B.Jonson.
Firk, n. A freak; trick; quirk. [Obs.] Ford.
Fir"kin (?), n. [From AS. feÛwer four (or an allied word, perh. Dutch
or Danish) + -kin. See Four.] 1. A varying measure of capacity, usually
being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to
nine imperial gallons. [Eng.]
2. A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, -- used for
butter, lard, etc. [U.S.]
Fir"lot (?), n. [Scot., the fourth part of a boll of grain, from a word
equiv. to E. four + lot part, portion. See Firkin.] A dry measure
formerly used in Scotland; the fourth part of a boll of grain or meal.
The Linlithgow wheat firlot was to the imperial bushel as 998 to 1000;
the barley firlot as 1456 to 1000. Brande & C.
Firm (?), a. [Compar. Firmer (?); superl. Firmest.] [OE. ferme, F.
ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law, order, dh&?; to
hold fast, carry. Cf. Farm, Throne.] 1. Fixed; hence, closely
compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; -- applied to the matter
of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.
2. Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose; fixed;
steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily changed in feelings or
will; strong; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent.
Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow But firm battalion.
Milton.
By one man's firm obediency fully tried.
Milton.