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.
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