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.
Examples from the web for constants
  • We should thus have the solution of our problem, if the constants a and b were known.
  • In hyperspace co-dimensions the speed of light has a different value depending on the physics constants of the dimension.
  • But climate change is blowing such constants out of the water, experts say.
  • Humans first formed our tongues around language, surely, for the purpose of explaining these constants to our children.
  • Fairness in work and in school are the only constants.
  • One can tell a lot from a thinker's constants and variables.
  • Instead of optimum damping constants, it uses the heading noise factor and ignores the other constants.
  • It all boils down to two constants: the vast new opportunities created by technology, and the creative destruction of capitalism.
  • We've tried various systems over the years, but one of the near constants has been the label maker.
  • Keeping with the spirit of first contact, the puzzles so far have relied heavily on scientific constants to convey information.
British Dictionary definitions for constants

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
7.
See logical constant
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 constants

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.).

constants 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.

constants 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.


constants 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 constants

constant

Related Terms

finagle factor


Encyclopedia Article for constants

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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