Constant

Constant
Constant Con"stant (k[o^]n"stant), a. [L. onstans, -antis, p. pr. of constare to stand firm, to be consistent; con- + stare to stand: cf. F. constant. See {Stand} and cf. {Cost}, v. t.] 1. Firm; solid; fixed; immovable; -- opposed to {fluid}. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

If . . . you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body. --Boyle. [1913 Webster]

2. Not liable, or given, to change; permanent; regular; continuous; continually recurring; steadfast; faithful; not fickle. Opposite of {changeable} and {variable}. [1913 Webster]

Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

I am constant to my purposes. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

His gifts, his constant courtship, nothing gained. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Onward the constant current sweeps. --Longfellow. [1913 Webster]

3. (Math. & Physics) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc. [1913 Webster]

4. Consistent; logical. [Obs.] --Shak.

Syn: Fixed; steadfast; unchanging; permanent; unalterable; immutable; invariable; perpetual; continual; resolute; firm; unshaken; determined.

Usage: {Constant}, {Continual}, {Perpetual}. These words are sometimes used in an absolute and sometimes in a qualified sense. Constant denotes, in its absolute sense, unchangeably fixed; as, a constant mind or purpose. In its qualified sense, it marks something as a ``standing'' fact or occurence; as, liable to constant interruptions; constantly called for. Continual, in its absolute sense, coincides with continuous. See {Continuous}. In its qualified sense, it describes a thing as occuring in steady and rapid succession; as, a round of continual calls; continually changing. Perpetual denotes, in its absolute sense, what literally never ceases or comes to an end; as, perpetual motion. In its qualified sense, it is used hyperbolically, and denotes that which rarely ceases; as, perpetual disturbance; perpetual noise; perpetual intermeddling. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • CONSTANT — CONSTANT ANTON NIEUWENHUYS (1920 ) Peintre et sculpteur néerlandais. C’est à Constant que revient historiquement l’initiative de la fondation à Amsterdam, en 1948, du premier noyau d’artistes «expérimentaux». Il rédige et publie un manifeste où… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • constant — constant, ante (kon stan, stan t ) adj. 1°   Qui a de la constance. Constant en amitié. •   Dans leur juste haine animés et constants, CORN. Héracl. V, 6. •   Le peuple romain a été le plus constant dans ses maximes, BOSSUET Hist. III, 6. •   Ah… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Constant — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Constant (Maler) (eigtl. Constant Anton Nieuwenhuys; 1920–2005), niederländischer Maler und Bildhauer Alexandre Constant (1829–1901), Zoologe Benjamin Constant (eigtl. Henri Benjamin Constant de Rebecque;… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • CONSTANT (B.) — Appartenant par sa formation à l’époque des Lumières, par sa carrière au XIXe siècle, Benjamin Constant est l’un des représentants les plus illustres et les plus controversés de cette période charnière. Témoin privilégié des bouleversements… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Constant — or The Constant may refer to: Contents 1 In Mathematics 2 Other concepts 3 People 4 Organization 5 …   Wikipedia

  • constant — CONSTANT, ANTE. adj. Qui a de la constance, de la fermeté dans le malheur, dans les douleurs. Il a montré une âme constante dans les plus grands maux. Constant dans les tourmens. Corstant dans son mal. Il est ferme et constant dans l adversité.… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • Constant — Con stant, n. 1. That which is not subject to change; that which is invariable. [1913 Webster] 2. (Math.) A quantity that does not change its value; used in countradistinction to {variable}. [1913 Webster] 3. (Astron.) A number whose value, when… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • constant — ≠ fluctuant, inconstant, instabil, neconstant, oscilant, schimbător, variabil, variat, muabil, nestatornic Trimis de siveco, 03.08.2004. Sursa: Antonime  CONSTANTA LUI PLÁNCK s. (fiz.) cuantă de acţiune. Trimis de siveco, 05.08.2004. Sursa:… …   Dicționar Român

  • CONSTANT (M.) — CONSTANT MARIUS (1925 ) Après des études musicales, suivies à Bucarest où il est né (d’un père français et d’une mère roumaine), et une formation d’abord influencée par le romantisme allemand, Marius Constant reçoit à Paris, où il se fixe en 1945 …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • constant — Constant, Constans, Stabilis. Estre constant, Substare, Obtinere firmitudinem animi. Gendre constant et arresté, Firmus gener. Un homme constant pardonne bien aucunefois, Locus ignoscendi est etiam apud hominem constantem. Qui n est point… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

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