permanent — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Without end, eternal.

   Examples

   Nothing in this world is truly permanent.

   Things that had been permanent and unquestionable were suddenly thrown into doubt.

2. Lasting for an indefinitely long time.

   Examples

   The countries are now locked in a permanent state of conflict.

Noun

1. A chemical hair treatment imparting or removing curliness, whose effects typically last for a period of weeks; a perm.

   Examples

   She had pewter-coloured hair set in a ruthless permanent, a hard beak and large moist eyes with the sympathetic expression of wet stones.

2. Given an n×n matrix a_ij,, the sum over all permutations π, of ∏ᵢ₌₁ⁿa_iπ(i).

3. A card whose effects persist beyond the turn on which it is played.

Verb

1. To perm (the hair).

   Usage

   • Dated
   • Transitive

Adjective

1. continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

   Synonyms

   lasting

   Antonyms

   impermanent

   Examples

   permanent secretary to the president

   permanent address

   More examples (1)

   literature of permanent value

2. not capable of being reversed or returned to the original condition

   Examples

   permanent brain damage

Noun

1. a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals

   Synonyms

   permanent waveperm

   Broader terms

   wave