constant

[kon-stuh nt] /ˈkɒn stənt/
adjective
1.
not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable:
All conditions during the three experiments were constant.
2.
continuing without pause or letup; unceasing:
constant noise.
3.
regularly recurrent; continual; persistent:
He found it impossible to work with constant interruption.
4.
faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc.:
a constant lover.
5.
steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute.
6.
Obsolete. certain; confident.
noun
7.
something that does not or cannot change or vary.
8.
Physics. a number expressing a property, quantity, or relation that remains unchanged under specified conditions.
9.
Mathematics. a quantity assumed to be unchanged throughout a given discussion.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin constant- (stem of constāns, present participle of constāre to stand firm), equivalent to con- con- + stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix
Related forms
constantly, adverb
nonconstant, noun, adjective
overconstant, adjective
overconstantly, adverb
overconstantness, noun
quasi-constant, adjective
quasi-constantly, adverb
unconstant, adjective
unconstantly, adverb
Synonyms
1. unchanging, immutable, permanent. 2. perpetual, unremitting, uninterrupted. 3. incessant, ceaseless. 4. loyal, staunch, true. See faithful. 5. steady, unwavering, unswerving.
Antonyms
1. changeable. 2. fitful. 3. sporadic. 4. unreliable. 5. wavering.

Constant

[kawn-stahn] /kɔ̃ˈstɑ̃/
noun
1.
Paul Henri Benjamin Balluat
[pawl ahn-ree ban-zha-man ba-lwa] /pɔl ɑ̃ˈri bɛ̃ ʒaˈmɛ̃ baˈlwa/ (Show IPA),
Estournelles de Constant, Paul.
2.
Jean Joseph Benjamin
[zhahn zhaw-zef ban-zha-man] /ʒɑ̃ ʒɔˈzɛf bɛ̃ ʒaˈmɛ̃/ (Show IPA),
1845–1902, French painter.
Examples from the web for constant
  • Is the magnetic constant also call absolute permeability of free space.
  • It is a large, glowing golden sword which gives off constant light.
  • The fc region is therefore sometimes incorrectly termed the fragment constant region.
  • Henry becomes frustrated by her constant want for debate, and angrily rejects her.
  • That is, it will be the same from any frame of reference moving at a constant speed.
  • There exist theories which postulate that the speed of light is not a constant.
  • There were constant power struggles between the various princes.
  • Easy and slow a debauched song of somewhat constant innuendo.
  • In the atypical form of tn, the pain presents itself as severe constant aching.
  • His skin is frequently characterized as bronzed from constant exposure to the sun.
British Dictionary definitions for constant

constant

/ˈkɒnstənt/
adjective
1.
fixed and invariable; unchanging
2.
continual or continuous; incessant: constant interruptions
3.
resolute in mind, purpose, or affection; loyal
noun
4.
something that is permanent or unchanging
5.
a specific quantity that is always invariable: the velocity of light is a constant
6.
  1. (maths) a symbol representing an unspecified number that remains invariable throughout a particular series of operations
  2. (physics) a theoretical or experimental quantity or property that is considered invariable throughout a particular series of calculations or experiments
Derived Forms
constantly, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Old French, from Latin constāns standing firm, from constāre to be steadfast, from stāre to stand

Constant

/French kɔ̃stɑ̃/
noun
1.
Benjamin (bɛ̃ʒamɛ̃). real name Henri Benjamin Constant de Rebecque. 1767–1830, French writer and politician: author of the psychological novel Adolphe (1816)
Word Origin and History for constant
adj.

late 14c., "steadfast, resolute," from Old French constant (14c.) or directly from Latin constantem (nominative constans) "standing firm, stable, steadfast, faithful," present participle of constare, from com- "together" (see com-) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Of actions and conditions from 1650s. Related: Constantly.

n.

1832 in mathematics and physics, from constant (adj.).

constant in Medicine

constant con·stant (kŏn'stənt)
adj.

  1. Continually occurring; persistent.

  2. Unchanging in nature, value, or extent; invariable.

n.
  1. A quantity assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.

  2. An experimental or theoretical condition, factor, or quantity that does not vary or that is regarded as invariant in specified circumstances.

constant in Science
constant
  (kŏn'stənt)   
  1. A quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.

  2. 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.


constant in Culture

constant definition


A number that appears in equations and formulas and does not vary or change. Examples are Planck's constant and the speed of light.

Slang definitions & phrases for constant

constant

Related Terms

finagle factor


Encyclopedia Article for constant

a number, value, or object that has a fixed magnitude, physically or abstractly, as a part of a specific operation or discussion. In mathematics the term refers to a quantity (often represented by a symbol-e.g., pi, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter) that does not change in a certain discussion or operation, or to a variable that can assume only one value. In logic it is a term with an invariant denotation (any symbol with a fixed designation, such as a connective or quantifier).

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