'firmly-held' originates from the combination of 'firmly,' meaning 'in a strong, steady way,' and 'held,' the past participle of 'hold,' meaning 'to keep or maintain.'

'firmly-held' evolved from the Old English word 'healdan,' meaning 'to hold or keep,' combined with 'firmly,' which comes from the Latin 'firmus,' meaning 'strong or steadfast.'

Initially, it meant 'to hold something strongly,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'strongly believed or maintained.'