An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An area of land devoted to the raising of animals, fish, plants, etc.

Etymology (EN): M.E. ferme “lease, rented land, rent,” from O.Fr., from Vulgar L. *ferma, derivative of *fermare for L. firmare “to make firm, confirm.”

Etymology (PE): Keštzâr “farm, field,” from kešt past stem of keštan, variants kâštan, kâridan “to cultivate, to plant;” Mid.Pers. kištan, kâridan “to sow, plant; to make furrows;” Av. kar- “to strew seed, cultivate,” kāraiieiti “cultivates;” cf. Skt. kar- “to scatter, strew, pour out,” + suffix -zâr denoting profusion, abundance, as in kârzâr “a field of battle; combat” šurezâr “unfertile, salty ground; nitrous earth,” xoškzâr “arid land,” and so forth.