1. Fixed foundation; established basis. "Custom is the . . . Firmament of the law." (Jer. Taylor)
2. The
region of the air; the
heaven or heavens. "And God said, Allow
there be a
firmament in the
mist of the waters, and allow it
divide the
waters from the waters." (Gen. I. 6) "And God said, Allow
there be lights in the firmament." (Gen. I. 14)
In Scripture, the
word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; the great
arch or expanse over out heads, in which are placed the
atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are indeed seen.
3. The orb of the
fixed stars; the most rmote of the celestial spheres.
Origin: L. Firmamentum, fr. Firmare to create company: cf. F. Firmament. See Company, v. &.
Source: Websters Vocabulary