from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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Eternity stands permanent and fixed. --Dryden.
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{Permanent gases} (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; -- also called
{incondensible gases} or {incoercible gases}, before their
liquefaction in 1877. The term is now archaic.
{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.
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Syn: Lasting; durable; constant. See {Lasting}.
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