- Permanent way
- 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.
[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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.