permanent

[pur-muh-nuh nt] /ˈpɜr mə nənt/

adjective

existing perpetually; everlasting, especially without significant change.

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.

long-lasting or nonfading:

permanent pleating; permanent ink.

noun

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 Middle English < Latin permanent- (stem of permanēns), present participle of permanēre to remain. See per-, remain, -ent

Related forms

permanently, adverb

permanentness, noun

nonpermanent, adjective

nonpermanently, adverb

pseudopermanent, adjective

quasi-permanent, adjective

quasi-permanently, adverb

subpermanent, adjective

subpermanently, adverb

unpermanent, adjective

unpermanently, adverb

Synonyms

1. stable, invariable, constant.

Antonyms

1. temporary; inconstant.

Examples from the web for permanent

Some have asked for help removing scratches, permanent marker and even paint.
One of the more contentious issues is the permanent storage of used fuel.
Plants that survive the winter can be moved to a permanent location next spring.
Super Toni is recommended, too, for women who want a curlier permanent.
It's a ground-floor unit, my bachelor bunker, and as such is in near permanent darkness.
The installation is meant to be permanent.
Some universities prohibit an administrator who holds an interim appointment from being a candidate for the permanent position.
This is widely used for making super-strong permanent magnets.
Explain that an ice shelf is a permanent, floating piece of ice that is attached to land.
It's not for real; it's not permanent till it hits paper.

British Dictionary definitions for permanent

permanent

/ˈpɜːmənənt/

adjective

existing or intended to exist for an indefinite period: a permanent structure

not expected to change for an indefinite time; not temporary: a permanent condition

Derived Forms

permanently, adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Latin permanens continuing, from permanēre to stay to the end, from per- through + manēre to remain

Word Origin and History for permanent

adj.

early 15c., from Middle French permanent (14c.) or directly from Latin permanentem (nominative permanens) "remaining," present participle of permanere "endure, hold out, continue, stay to the end," from per- "through" (see per) + manere "stay" (see mansion). As a noun meaning "permanent wave," by 1909. Of clothing, permanent press attested from 1964.