Regularly recurring: plagued by constant interruptions.
Unchanging in nature, value, or extent; invariable. See Synonyms at continual.
Steadfast in purpose, loyalty, or affection; faithful. See Synonyms at faithful.
n.
Something that is unchanging or invariable.
A quantity assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.
An experimental or theoretical condition, factor, or quantity that does not vary or that is regarded as invariant in specified circumstances.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin cōnstāns, cōnstant-, present participle of cōnstāre, to stand firm : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + stāre, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
c.1386, "steadfast, resolute," from L. constantem (nom. constans) "standing firm, stable, steadfast," prp. of constare, from com- "together" + stare "to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Of actions and conditions from 1653.
unvarying in nature; "maintained a constant temperature"; "principles of unvarying validity" [syn: changeless]
2.
steadfast in purpose or devotion or affection; "a man constant in adherence to his ideals"; "a constant lover"; "constant as the northern star" [ant: inconstant]
3.
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing; "the ceaseless thunder of surf"; "in constant pain"; "night and day we live with the incessant noise of the city"; "the never-ending search for happiness"; "the perpetual struggle to maintain standards in a democracy"; "man's unceasing warfare with drought and isolation"; "unremitting demands of hunger" [syn: ceaseless]
noun
1.
a quantity that does not vary
2.
a number representing a quantity assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context; "the velocity of light is a constant"
A quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.
A theoretical or experimental quantity, condition, or factor that does not vary in specified circumstances. Avogadro's number and Planck's constant are examples of constants.
Main Entry: 2constant Function: noun : something invariable or unchanging; especially: a number that has a fixed value in a given situation or
universally or that is characteristic of some substance or instrument
Con"stan*cy\, n. [L. constantia: cf. F. constance. See Constant.]1. The state or quality of being constant or steadfast; freedom from change; stability; fixedness; immutability; as, the constancy of God in his nature and attributes. 2. Fixedness or firmness of mind; persevering resolution; especially, firmness of mind under sufferings, steadiness in attachments, or perseverance in enterprise; stability; fidelity. A fellow of plain uncoined constancy. --Shak. Constancy and contempt of danger. --Prescott. Syn: Fixedness; stability; firmness; steadiness; permanence; steadfastness; resolution. See Firmness.
Con"stant\, a. [L. onstans, -antis, p. pr. of constare to stand firm, to be consistent; con- + stare to stand: cf. F. constant. See Stand and cf. Cost, v. t.]1. Firm; solid; fixed; immovable; -- opposed to fluid. [Obs.] If . . . you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body. --Boyle. 2. Not liable, or given, to change; permanent; regular; continuous; continually recurring; steadfast; faithful; not fickle. Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends. --Sir P. Sidney. I am constant to my purposes. --Shak. His gifts, his constant ourtship, nothing gained. --Dryden. Onward the constant current sweeps. --Longfellow. 3. (Math. & Physics) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc. 4. Consistent; logical. [Obs.] --Shak. Syn: Fixed; steadfast; unchanging; permanent; unalterable; immutable; invariable; perpetual; continual; resolute; firm; unshaken; determined. Usage: Constant, Continual, Perpetual. These words are sometimes used in an absolute and sometimes in a qualified sense. Constant denotes, in its absolute sense, unchangeably fixed; as, a constant mind or purpose. In its qualified sense, it marks something as a "standing" fact or occurence; as, liable to constant interruptions; constantly called for. Continual, in its absolute sense, coincides with continuous. See Continuous. In its qualified sense, it describes a thing as occuring in steady and rapid succession; as, a round of continual calls; continually changing. Perpetual denotes, in its absolute sense, what literally never ceases or comes to an end; as, perpetual motion. In its qualified sense, it is used hyperbolically, and denotes that which rarely ceases; as, perpetual disturbance; perpetual noise; perpetual intermeddling.
Con"stant\, a. [L. onstans, -antis, p. pr. of constare to stand firm, to be consistent; con- + stare to stand: cf. F. constant. See Stand and cf. Cost, v. t.]1. Firm; solid; fixed; immovable; -- opposed to fluid. [Obs.] If . . . you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body. --Boyle. 2. Not liable, or given, to change; permanent; regular; continuous; continually recurring; steadfast; faithful; not fickle. Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends. --Sir P. Sidney. I am constant to my purposes. --Shak. His gifts, his constant ourtship, nothing gained. --Dryden. Onward the constant current sweeps. --Longfellow. 3. (Math. & Physics) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc. 4. Consistent; logical. [Obs.] --Shak. Syn: Fixed; steadfast; unchanging; permanent; unalterable; immutable; invariable; perpetual; continual; resolute; firm; unshaken; determined. Usage: Constant, Continual, Perpetual. These words are sometimes used in an absolute and sometimes in a qualified sense. Constant denotes, in its absolute sense, unchangeably fixed; as, a constant mind or purpose. In its qualified sense, it marks something as a "standing" fact or occurence; as, liable to constant interruptions; constantly called for. Continual, in its absolute sense, coincides with continuous. See Continuous. In its qualified sense, it describes a thing as occuring in steady and rapid succession; as, a round of continual calls; continually changing. Perpetual denotes, in its absolute sense, what literally never ceases or comes to an end; as, perpetual motion. In its qualified sense, it is used hyperbolically, and denotes that which rarely ceases; as, perpetual disturbance; perpetual noise; perpetual intermeddling.
Con"stant\, n. 1. That which is not subject to change; that which is invariable. 2. (Math.) A quantity that does not change its value; -- used in countradistinction to variable. Absolute constant (Math.), one whose value is absolutely the same under all circumstances, as the number 10, or any numeral. Arbitrary constant, an undetermined constant in a differential equation having the same value during all changes in the values of the variables.
Con*tin"u*al\, a. [OE. continuel, F. continuel. See Continue.]1. Proceeding without interruption or cesstaion; continuous; unceasing; lasting; abiding. He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. --Prov. xv. 15. 2. Occuring in steady and rapid succession; very frequent; often repeated. The eye is deligh by a continental succession of small landscapes. --W. Irwing. Continual proportionals (Math.), quantities in continued proportion. --Brande & C. Syn: Constant; prepetual; incessant; unceasing; uninterrupted; unintermitted; continuous. See Constant, and Continuous.
Con*tin"u*ous\, a. [L. continuus, fr. continere to hold together. See Continent.]1. Without break, cessation, or interruption; without intervening space or time; uninterrupted; unbroken; continual; unceasing; constant; continued; protracted; extended; as, a continuous line of railroad; a continuous current of electricity. he can hear its continuous murmur. --Longfellow. 2. (Bot.) Not deviating or varying from uninformity; not interrupted; not joined or articulated. Continuous brake (Railroad), a brake which is attached to each car a train, and can be caused to operate in all the cars simultaneously from a point on any car or on the engine. Continuous impost. See Impost. Syn: Continuous, Continual. Usage: Continuous is the stronger word, and denotes that the continuity or union of parts is absolute and uninterrupted; as, a continuous sheet of ice; a continuous flow of water or of argument. So Daniel Webster speaks of "a continuous and unbroken strain of the martial airs of England." Continual, in most cases, marks a close and unbroken succession of things, rather than absolute continuity. Thus we speak of continual showers, implying a repetition with occasional interruptions; we speak of a person as liable to continual calls, or as subject to continual applications for aid, etc. See Constant.
Cost\ (k[o^]st; 115), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cost; p. pr. & vb. n. Costing.] [OF. coster, couster, F. co[^u]ter, fr. L. constare to stand at, to cost; con- + stare to stand. See Stand, and cf. Constant.]1. To require to be given, expended, or laid out therefor, as in barter, purchase, acquisition, etc.; to cause the cost, expenditure, relinquishment, or loss of; as, the ticket cost a dollar; the effort cost his life. A diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats. --Shak. Though it cost me ten nights' watchings. --Shak. 2. To require to be borne or suffered; to cause. To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. --Milton. To cost dear, to require or occasion a large outlay of money, or much labor, self-denial, suffering, etc.
In*con"stant\, a. [L. inconstans: cf. F. inconstant. See In- not, and Constant.] Not constant; not stable or uniform; subject to change of character, appearance, opinion, inclination, or purpose, etc.; not firm; unsteady; fickle; changeable; variable; -- said of persons or things; as, inconstant in love or friendship. "The inconstant moon." --Shak. While we, inquiring phantoms of a day, Inconstant as the shadows we survey! --Boyse. Syn: Mutable; fickle; volatile; unsteady; unstable; changeable; variable; wavering; fluctuating.
Con"stant\, n. 1. (Astron.) A number whose value, when ascertained (as by observation) and substituted in a general mathematical formula expressing an astronomical law, completely determines that law and enables predictions to be made of its effect in particular cases. 2. (Physics) A number expressing some property or condition of a substance or of an instrument of precision; as, the dielectric constant of quartz; the collimation constant of a transit instrument. Aberration constant, or Constant of aberration (Astron.), a number which by substitution in the general formula for aberration enables a prediction to be made of the effect of aberration on a star anywhere situated. Its value is 20[sec].47. Constant of integration (Math.), an undetermined constant added to every result of integration. Gravitation constant (Physics), the acceleration per unit of time produced by the attraction of a unit of mass at unit distance. When this is known the acceleration produced at any distance can be calculated. Solar constant (Astron.), the quantity of heat received by the earth from the sun in a unit of time. It is, on the C. G. S. system, 0.0417 small calories per square centimeter per second. --Young.
Per*pet"u*al\, a. [OE. perpetuel, F. perp['e]tuel, fr. L. perpetualis, fr. perpetuus continuing throughout, continuous, fr. perpes, -etis, lasting throughout.] Neverceasing; continuing forever or for an unlimited time; unfailing; everlasting; continuous. Unto the kingdom of perpetual night. --Shak. Perpetual feast of nectared sweets. --Milton. Circle of perpetual apparition, or occultation. See under Circle. Perpetual calendar, a calendar so devised that it may be adjusted for any month or year. Perpetual curacy (Ch. of Eng.), a curacy in which all the tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed. --Blackstone. Perpetual motion. See under Motion. Perpetual screw. See Endless screw, under Screw. Syn: Continual; unceasing; endless; everlasting; incessant; constant; eternal. See Constant.
Stand\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Stood; p. pr. & vb. n. Standing.] [OE. standen; AS. standan; akin to OFries. stonda, st[=a]n, D. staan, OS. standan, st[=a]n, G. stehen, Icel. standa, Dan. staae, Sw. st[*a], Goth. standan, Russ. stoiate, L. stare, Gr. ? to cause to stand, ? to stand, Skr. sth[=a]. [root]163. Cf. Assist, Constant, Contrast, Desist, Destine, Ecstasy, Exist, Interstice, Obstacle, Obstinate, Prest, n., Rest remainder, Soltice, Stable, a. & n., State, n., Statute, Stead, Steed, Stool, Stud of horses, Substance, System.]1. To be at rest in an erect position; to be fixed in an upright or firm position; as: (a) To be supported on the feet, in an erect or nearly erect position; -- opposed to lie, sit, kneel, etc. "I pray you all, stand up!" --Shak. (b) To continue upright in a certain locality, as a tree fixed by the roots, or a building resting on its foundation. It stands as it were to the ground yglued. --Chaucer. The ruined wall Stands when its wind worn battlements are gone. --Byron. 2. To occupy or hold a place; to have a situation; to be situated or located; as, Paris stands on the Seine. Wite ye not where there stands a little town? --Chaucer. 3. To cease from progress; not to proceed; to stop; to pause; to halt; to remain stationary. I charge thee, stand, And tell thy name. --Dryden. The star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. --Matt. ii. 9. 4. To remain without ruin or injury; to hold good against tendencies to impair or injure; to be permanent; to endure; to last; hence, to find endurance, strength, or resources. My mind on its own center stands unmoved. --Dryden. 5. To maintain one's ground; to be acquitted; not to fail or yield; to be safe. Readers by whose judgment I would stand or fall. --Spectator. 6. To maintain an invincible or permanent attitude; to be fixed, steady, or firm; to take a position in resistance or opposition. "The standing pattern of their imitation." --South. The king granted the Jews . . . to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life. --Esther viii. 11. 7. To adhere to fixed principles; to maintain moral rectitude; to keep from falling into error or vice. We must labor so as to stand with godliness, according to his appointment. --Latimer. 8. To have or maintain a position, order, or rank; to be in a particular relation; as, Christian charity, or love, stands first in the rank of gifts. 9. To be in some particular state; to have essence or being; to be; to consist. "Sacrifices . . . which stood only in meats and drinks." --Heb. ix. 10. Accomplish what your signs foreshow; I stand resigned, and am prepared to go. --Dryden. Thou seest how it stands with me, and that I may not tarry. --Sir W. Scott. 10. To be consistent; to agree; to accord. Doubt me not; by heaven, I will do nothing But what may stand with honor. --Massinger. 11. (Naut.) To hold a course at sea; as, to stand from the shore; to stand for the harbor. From the same parts of heaven his navy stands. --Dryden. 12. To offer one's self, or to be offered, as a candidate. He stood to be elected one of the proctors of the university. --Walton. 13. To stagnate; not to flow; to be motionless. Or the black water of Pomptina stands. --Dryden. 14. To measure when erect on the feet. Six feet two, as I think, he stands. --Tennyson. 15. (Law) (a) To be or remain as it is; to continue in force; to have efficacy or validity; to abide. --Bouvier. (b) To appear in court. --Burrill. Stand by (Naut.), a preparatory order, equivalent to Be ready. To stand against, to opposite; to resist. To stand by. (a) To be near; to be a spectator; to be present. (b) To be aside; to be aside with disregard. "In the interim [we] let the commands stand by neglected." --Dr. H. More. (c) To maintain; to defend; to support; not to desert; as, to stand by one's principles or party. (d) To rest on for support; to be supported by. --Whitgift. To stand corrected, to be set right, as after an error in a statement of fact. --Wycherley. To stand fast, to be fixed; to be unshaken or immovable. To stand firmly on, to be satisfied or convinced of. "Though Page be a secure fool, and stands so firmly on his wife's frailty." --Shak. To stand for. (a) To side with; to espouse the cause of; to support; to maintain, or to profess or attempt to maintain; to defend. "I stand wholly for you." --Shak. (b) To be in the place of; to be the substitute or to represent; as, a cipher at the left hand of a figure stands for nothing. "I will not trouble myself, whether these names stand for the same thing, or really include one another." --Locke. To stand in, to cost. "The same standeth them in much less cost." --Robynson (More's Utopia). The Punic wars could not have stood the human race in less than three millions of the species. --Burke. To stand in hand, to conduce to one's interest; to be serviceable or advantageous. To stand off. (a) To keep at a distance. (b) Not to comply. (c) To keep at a distance in friendship, social intercourse, or acquaintance. (d) To appear prominent; to have relief. "Picture is best when it standeth off, as if it were carved." --Sir H. Wotton. To stand off and on (Naut.), to remain near a coast by sailing toward land and then from it. To stand on (Naut.), to continue on the same tack or course. To stand out. (a) To project; to be prominent. "Their eyes stand out with fatness." --Psalm lxxiii. 7. (b) To persist in opposition or resistance; not to yield or comply; not to give way or recede. His spirit is come in, That so stood out against the holy church. --Shak. To stand to. (a) To ply; to urge; to persevere in using. "Stand to your tackles, mates, and stretch your oars." --Dryden. (b) To remain fixed in a purpose or opinion. "I will stand to it, that this is his sense." --Bp. Stillingfleet. (c) To abide by; to adhere to; as to a contrast, assertion, promise, etc.; as, to stand to an award; to stand to one's word. (d) Not to yield; not to fly; to maintain, as one's ground. "Their lives and fortunes were put in safety, whether they stood to it or ran away." --Bacon. (e) To be consistent with; to agree with; as, it stands to reason that he could not have done so. (f) To support; to uphold. "Stand to me in this cause." --Shak. To stand together, to be consistent; to agree. To stand to sea (Naut.), to direct the course from land. To stand under, to undergo; to withstand. --Shak. To stand up. (a) To rise from sitting; to be on the feet. (b) To arise in order to speak or act. "Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed." --Acts xxv. 18. (c) To rise and stand on end, as the hair. (d) To put one's self in opposition; to contend. "Once we stood up about the corn." --Shak. To stand up for, to defend; to justify; to support, or attempt to support; as, to stand up for the administration. To stand upon. (a) To concern; to interest. (b) To value; to esteem. "We highly esteem and stand much upon our birth." --Ray. (c) To insist on; to attach much importance to; as, to stand upon security; to stand upon ceremony. (d) To attack; to assault. [A Hebraism] "So I stood upon him, and slew him." --2 Sam. i. 10. To stand with, to be consistent with. "It stands with reason that they should be rewarded liberally." --Sir J. Davies.
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