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Definition of permanent - 5 dictionary results
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per⋅ma⋅nent

  [pur-muh-nuhnt]
Use permanent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. existing perpetually; everlasting, esp. without significant change.
2. intended to exist or function for a long, indefinite period without regard to unforeseeable conditions: a permanent employee; the permanent headquarters of the United Nations.
3. long-lasting or nonfading: permanent pleating; permanent ink.
–noun
4. Also called permanent wave. a wave or curl that is set into the hair by the application of a special chemical preparation and that remains for a number of months.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L permanent- (s. of permanēns), prp. of permanēre to remain. See per-, remain, -ent

Related forms:
per⋅ma⋅nent⋅ly, adverb
per⋅ma⋅nent⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. stable, invariable, constant.

Antonyms:
1. temporary; inconstant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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per·ma·nent   (pûr'mə-nənt)   
adj.  
  1. Lasting or remaining without essential change: "the universal human yearning for something permanent, enduring, without shadow of change" (Willa Cather).
  2. Not expected to change in status, condition, or place: a permanent address; permanent secretary to the president.
n.  Any of several long-lasting hair styles usually achieved by chemical applications which straighten, curl, or wave the hair.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin permanēns, permanent-, present participle of permanēre, to endure : per-, throughout; see per- + manēre, to remain; see men-3 in Indo-European roots.]
per'ma·nent·ly adv., per'ma·nent·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Permanent

Per"ma*nent\, a. [L. permanens, -entis, p. pr. of permanere to stay or remain to the end, to last; per + manere to remain: cf. F. permanent. See Per-, and Mansion.] Continuing in the same state, or without any change that destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved; abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent impression.

Eternity stands permanent and fixed. --Dryden.

Permanent gases (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; -- also called incondensible or incoercible gases, before their liquefaction in 1877.

Permanent way, the roadbed and superstructure of a finished railway; -- so called in distinction from the contractor's temporary way.

Permanent white (Chem.), barium sulphate (heavy spar), used as a white pigment or paint, in distinction from white lead, which tarnishes and darkens from the formation of the sulphide.

Syn: Lasting; durable; constant. See Lasting.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : permanent
Spanish: permanente,
German: ständig,
Japanese: 永続する
More Translations »

permanent 
1432, from M.Fr. permanent (14c.), from L. permanentem (nom. permanens) "remaining," prp. of permanere "endure, continue, stay to the end," from per- "through" + manere "stay" (see mansion).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: per·ma·nent
Pronunciation: 'p&rm(-&)-n&nt
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, or being a permanent tooth<permanent dentition>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Permanete
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Permanent
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