firmament
(literary, poetic, also figurative) The vault of the heavens, where the clouds, sun, moon, and stars can be seen; the heavens, the sky.
I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy the air, look you, this brave o’erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven.
The field or sphere of an activity or interest.
(astronomy, historical) In the geocentric Ptolemaic system, the eighth celestial sphere which carried the fixed stars; (by extension) any celestial sphere.
(obsolete except biblical) The abode of God and the angels; heaven.
(obsolete) A piece of jewellery worn in a headdress with numerous gems resembling stars in the sky.
(obsolete, also figurative) A basis or foundation; a support.
(obsolete) The act or process of making firm or strengthening.