| Permanent | 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Eternity stands permanent and fixed. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Lasting; durable; constant. See Lasting. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Permanganic | a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, one of the higher acids of manganese, HMnO4, which forms salts called permanganates. [ 1913 Webster ] |
