Dictionary entry

Constant

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Con″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.

If... you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body.

Boyle.

2. Not liable, or given, to change; permanent; regular; continuous; continually recurring; steadfast; faithful; not fickle.

Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends.

Sir P. Sidney.

I am constant to my purposes.

Shak.

His gifts, his constant courtship, nothing gained.

Dryden.

Onward the constant current sweeps.

Longfellow.

3. (Math. & Physics) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc. Contrasted with variable.

4. Consistent; logical. Shak.

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