farm

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English ferme, from Anglo-French, from fermer to fix, rent, from Latin firmare to make firm, from firmus firm Date: 14th century 1. obsolete a sum or due fixed in amount and payable at fixed intervals 2. a letting out of revenues or taxes for a fixed sum to one authorized to collect and retain them 3. a district or division of a country leased out for the collection of government revenues 4. a tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes 5. a. a plot of land devoted to the raising of animals and especially domestic livestock b. a tract of water reserved for the artificial cultivation of some aquatic life form <

a fish farm

> 6. a minor-league team (as in baseball) associated with a major-league team as a subsidiary 7. an area containing a number of similar structures or objects (as radio antennas or storage tanks) II. verb Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. obsolete rent 2. to collect and take the fees or profits of (an occupation or business) on payment of a fixed sum 3. to give up (as an estate or a business) to another on condition of receiving in return a fixed sum 4. a. to devote to agriculture b. to manage and cultivate as a farm c. to grow or cultivate in quantity <

farm trees for fuel

> <

farm salmon

> intransitive verb to engage in raising crops, animals, or fish