Constant

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: con=stant

CIDE DICTIONARY

Constant, 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.].

•  Firm; solid; fixed; immovable; -- opposed to fluid.  [1913 Webster]

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

  "I am constant to my purposes."  [1913 Webster]

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

  "Onward the constant current sweeps."  [1913 Webster]
•  Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  Consistent; logical.  Shak.

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

Constant, n. 

•  That which is not subject to change; that which is invariable.  [1913 Webster]
•  A quantity that does not change its value; -- used in countradistinction to variable.  [1913 Webster]
•  A number whose value, when ascertained (as by observation) and substituted in a general mathematical formula expressing an astronomical law, completely determines that law and enables predictions to be made of its effect in particular cases.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  A number expressing some property or condition of a substance or of an instrument of precision; as, the dielectric constant of quartz; the collimation constant of a transit instrument.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  a data structure that does not change during the course of execution of a program. It may be a number, a string, or a more complex data structure; -- contrasted with variable.  [PJC]

Aberration constant, or Constant of aberration (Astron.), a number which by substitution in the general formula for aberration enables a prediction to be made of the effect of aberration on a star anywhere situated. Its value is 20 -- Absolute constant (Math.), one whose value is absolutely the same under all circumstances, as the number 10, or any numeral. -- Arbitrary constant, an undetermined constant in a differential equation having the same value during all changes in the values of the variables. -- Gravitation constant (Physics), the acceleration per unit of time produced by the attraction of a unit of mass at unit distance. When this is known the acceleration produced at any distance can be calculated. -- Solar constant (Astron.), the quantity of heat received by the earth from the sun in a unit of time. It is, on the C. G. S. system, 0.0417 small calories per square centimeter per second. Young. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] -- Constant of integration (Math.), an undetermined constant added to every result of integration.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Constant, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 continuous (needs constant attention).
2 occurring frequently (receive constant complaints).
3 (often foll. by to) unchanging, faithful, dependable.
--n.
1 anything that does not vary.
2 Math. a component of a relationship between variables that does not change its value.
3 Physics a a number expressing a relation, property, etc., and remaining the same in all circumstances. b such a number that remains the same for a substance in the same conditions.

Derivative

constantly adv.

Etymology

ME f. OF f. L constare (as com-, stare stand)

THESAURUS

Constant

abiding, accordant, active, age-long, aged, ageless, alike, ancient, antique, ardent, articulated, assiduous, atom, atomic mass, atomic number, atomic weight, automatic, balanced, beaten, catenated, ceaseless, changeless, chattering, chronic, clinging, close, coeternal, colorfast, committed, compliant, concatenated, confirmed, conforming, connected, conscientious, consistent, consonant, continual, continued, continuing, continuous, correspondent, cyclical, dateless, dedicated, deep-dyed, delicate, dependable, determined, devoted, devout, diligent, direct, diuturnal, dogged, double-dyed, durable, duteous, dutiful, dyed-in-the-wool, endless, enduring, equable, equal, eternal, eterne, even, ever-being, ever-durable, ever-during, evergreen, everlasting, everliving, exact, express, fadeless, faithful, fast, featureless, fine, firm, fixed, flat, flinty, frequent, frozen, gapless, habitual, hackneyed, hardy, homogeneous, immediate, immemorial, immobile, immovable, immutable, inalterable, incessant, incommutable, inconvertible, indefatigable, indefeasible, indelible, indestructible, indomitable, industrious, inerrable, inerrant, inert, infallible, infinite, inflexible, ingrain, ingrained, insistent, insusceptible of change, intact, interminable, intransient, intransmutable, invariable, inveterate, invincible, inviolate, irretrievable, irreversible, irrevocable, joined, jointless, lasting, level, liege, linked, long-lasting, long-lived, long-standing, long-term, longeval, longevous, loyal, machine gun, macrobiotic, marble-constant, mathematical, measured, mechanical, methodic, methodical, meticulous, micrometrically precise, microscopic, mindful, monolithic, monotonous, never-ceasing, never-ending, never-tiring, nice, noble, nonreturnable, nonreversible, nonstop, nonterminating, nonterminous, observant, obstinate, of a piece, of long duration, of long standing, olamic, ordered, orderly, oscillating, patient, patient as Job, perdurable, perduring, perennial, periodic, permanent, perpetual, perseverant, persevering, persistent, persisting, pertinacious, pinpoint, plodding, plugging, practicing, precise, preoccupied, pulsating, punctilious, punctual, quantum, quiescent, rapid, rapt, recurrent, recurring, refined, regardful, regular, regular as clockwork, relentless, religious, religiously exact, remaining, repeated, repetitive, resolute, reverseless, rigid, rigorous, robotlike, round-the-clock, routine, running, scientific, scientifically exact, scrupulous, seamless, sedulous, sempervirent, sempiternal, serried, set, settled, severe, single-minded, sleepless, slogging, smooth, solid, sot, square, stabile, stable, staccato, static, stationary, staunch, staying, steadfast, steady, steely, stereotyped, straight, strict, stubborn, stuttering, subtle, sustained, systematic, tenacious, tested, timeless, tireless, torpid, tough, tried, tried and true, trite, true, true-blue, trusty, twenty-four-hour, unabating, unalterable, unalterative, unaltered, unbending, unbroken, unceasing, unchangeable, unchanged, unchanging, unchecked, unconquerable, undaunted, undeflectable, undestroyed, undeviating, undifferentiated, undiscouraged, undiversified, undrooping, unending, unerring, unfading, unfailing, unfaltering, unflagging, unflappable, unflinching, uniform, unintermitted, unintermittent, unintermitting, uninterrupted, unmodifiable, unmovable, unnodding, unrelaxing, unrelenting, unrelieved, unremitting, unrestorable, unreturnable, unruffled, unshakable, unshakeable, unshaken, unshifting, unsleeping, unstopped, unsusceptible, unswerving, untiring, unvariable, unvaried, unvarying, unwavering, unwearied, unwearying, unwinking, unyielding, utterly attentive, valence, vibrating, vital, weariless, well-trodden, well-worn, without end

ROGET THESAURUS

Constant

Perseverance

N perseverance, continuance, permanence, firmness, constancy, steadiness, singleness of purpose, tenacity of purpose, persistence, plodding, patience, sedulity, pertinacy, pertinacity, pertinaciousness, iteration, bottom, game, pluck, stamina, backbone, grit, indefatigability, indefatigableness, bulldog courage, persevering, constant, steady, steadfast, undeviating, unwavering, unfaltering, unswerving, unflinching, unsleeping, unflagging, undrooping, steady as time, unrelenting, unintermitting, unremitting, plodding, industrious, strenuous, pertinacious, persisting, persistent, solid, sturdy, staunch, stanch, true to oneself, unchangeable, unconquerable, indomitable, game to the last, indefatigable, untiring, unwearied, never tiring, through evil report and good report, through thick and thin, through fire and water, per fas et nefas, without fail, sink or swim, at any price, vogue la galere, never say die, give it the old college try, vestigia nulla retrorsum, aut vincer aut mori, la garde meurt et ne se rend pas, tout vient a temps pour qui sait attendre.

Continuity

N continuity, consecution, consecutiveness, succession, round, suite, progression, series, train chain, catenation, concatenation, scale, gradation, course, ceaselessness, constant flow, unbroken extent, procession, column, retinue, cortege, cavalcade, rank and file, line of battle, array, pedigree, genealogy, lineage, race, ancestry, descent, family, house, line, line of ancestors, strain, rank, file, line, row, range, tier, string, thread, team, suit, colonnade, continuous, continued, consecutive, progressive, gradual, serial, successive, immediate, unbroken, entire, linear, in a line, in a row, uninterrupted, unintermitting, unremitting, unrelenting (perseverence), perennial, evergreen, constant, continuously, seriatim, in a line, in succession, in turn, running, gradually, step by step, gradatim, at a stretch, in file, in column, in single file, in Indian file.

Frequency

N frequency, oftness, oftenness, commonness, repetition, normality, example (conformity), routine, custom (habit), regularity, uniformity, constancy, clock-work precision, punctuality, even tenor, system, routine, formula, rule, keynote, standard, model, precedent, conformity, frequent, many times, not rare, thickcoming, incessant, perpetual, continual, steady, constant, thick, uniform, repeated, customary, (habit), regular (normal), according to rule, common, everyday, usual, ordinary, familiar, old-hat, boring, well-known, trivial, often, oft, ofttimes, oftentimes, frequently, repeatedly, unseldom, not unfrequently, in quick succession, in rapid succession, many a time and oft, daily, hourly, every day, every hour, every moment, perpetually, continually, constantly, incessantly, without ceasing, at all times, daily and hourly, night and day, day and night, day after day, morning noon and night, ever anon, invariably (habit), most often, commonly, sometimes, occasionally, at times, now and then, from time to time, there being times when, toties quoties, often enough, when the mood strikes, again and again.

Stability

N stability, immutability, unchangeability unchangeableness, constancy, stable equilibrium, immobility, soundness, vitality, stabiliment, stiffness, ankylosis, solidity, aplomb, establishment, fixture, rock, pillar, tower, foundation, leopard's spots, Ethiopia's skin, permanence, obstinacy, unchangeable, immutable, unaltered, unalterable, not to be changed, constant, permanent, invariable, undeviating, stable, durable, perennial, fixed, steadfast, firm, fast, steady, balanced, confirmed, valid, fiducial, immovable, irremovable, riveted, rooted, settled, established, vested, incontrovertible, stereotyped, indeclinable, tethered, anchored, moored, at anchor, on a rock, rock solid, firm as a rock, firmly seated, firmly established, deep-rooted, ineradicable, inveterate, obstinate, transfixed, stuck fast, aground, high and dry, stranded, stuck, jammed, unremovable, quiescent, deterioration, indefeasible, irretrievable, intransmutable, incommutable, irresoluble, irrevocable, irreversible, reverseless, inextinguishable, irreducible, indissoluble, indissolvable, indestructible, undying, imperishable, incorruptible, indelible, indeciduous, insusceptible, insusceptible of change, Int, stet, littera scripta manet.

Probity

N probity, integrity, rectitude, uprightness, honesty, faith, honor, bonne foi, good faith, bona fides, purity, clean hands, fairness, fair play, justice, equity, impartiality, principle, even-handedness, grace, constancy, faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty, incorruption, incorruptibility, trustworthiness, truth, candor, singleness of heart, veracity, tender conscience, punctilio, delicacy, nicety, scrupulosity, scrupulousness, scruple, point, point of honor, punctuality, dignity, (repute), respectability, respectableness, gentilhomme, gentleman, man of honor, man of his word, fidus Achates, preux chevalier, galantuomo, truepenny, trump, brick, true Briton, white man, court of honor, a fair field and no favor, argumentum ad verecundiam, upright, honest, honest as daylight, veracious, virtuous, honorable, fair, right, just, equitable, impartial, evenhanded, square, fair and aboveboard, open and aboveboard, white, constant, constant as the northern star, faithful, loyal, staunch, true, true blue, true to one's colors, true to the core, true as the needle to the pole, marble-constant, true- hearted, trusty, trustworthy, as good as one's word, to be depended on, incorruptible, straightforward, frank, candid, open-hearted, conscientious, tender-conscienced, right-minded, high-principled, high-minded, scrupulous, religious, strict, nice, punctilious, correct, punctual, respectable, reputable, gentlemanlike, inviolable, inviolate, unviolated, unbroken, unbetrayed, unbought, unbribed, innocent, pure, stainless, unstained, untarnished, unsullied, untainted, unperjured, uncorrupt, uncorrupted, undefiled, undepraved, undebauched, integer vitae scelerisque purus, justus et tenax propositi, chivalrous, jealous of honor, sans peur et sans reproche, high-spirited, supramundane, unworldly, other-worldly, overscrupulous, honorable, bona fide, on the square, in good faith, honor bright, foro conscientiae, with clean hands, a face untaught to feign, bene qui latuit bene vixit, mens sibi conscia recti, probitas laudatur et alget, fidelis ad urnam, his heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth, loyaute m'oblige, loyaute n'a honte, what stronger breastplate than a heart untainted?.

Truth

N truth, fact, reality, plain fact, plain matter of fact, nature, truth, verity, gospel, gospel truth, God's honest truth, orthodoxy, authenticity, veracity, correctness, correctitude, accuracy, exactitude, exactness, preciseness, precision, delicacy, rigor, mathematical precision, punctuality, clockwork precision, conformity to rule, nicety, orthology, ipsissima verba, realism, plain truth, honest truth, sober truth, naked truth, unalloyed truth, unqualified truth, stern truth, exact truth, intrinsic truth, nuda veritas, the very thing, not an illusion, real Simon Pure, unvarnished tale, unvarnished truth, the truth the whole truth and nothing but the trut, just the thing, real, actual, veritable, true, right, correct, certain, substantially true, categorically true, definitively true, true to the letter, true as gospel, unimpeachable, veracious, unreconfuted, unconfuted, unideal, unimagined, realistic, exact, accurate, definite, precise, well-defined, just, just so, so, strict, severe, close, literal, rigid, rigorous, scrupulous, religiously exact, punctual, mathematical, scientific, faithful, constant, unerring, curious, particular, nice, delicate, fine, clean-cut, clear-cut, verified, empirically true, experimentally verified, substantiated, proven (demonstrated), rigorously true, unquestionably true, true by definition, genuine, authentic, legitimate, orthodox, official, ex officio, pure, natural, sound, sterling, unsophisticated, unadulterated, unvarnished, unalloyed, uncolored, in its true colors, pukka, well-grounded, well founded, solid, substantial, tangible, valid, undistorted, undisguised, unaffected, unexaggerated, unromantic, unflattering, truly, verily, indeed, really, in reality, with truth, certainly, actually, in effect, exactly, ad amussim, verbatim, verbatim et literatim, word for word, literally, literatim, totidem vervis, sic, to the letter, chapter and verse, ipsissimis verbis, ad unguem, to an inch, to a nicety, to a hair, to a tittle, to a turn, to a T, au pied de la lettre, neither more nor less, in every respect, in all respects, sous tous les rapports, at any rate, at all events, strictly speaking, the truth is, the fact is, rem acu tetigisti, en suivant la verite, ex facto jus oritur, la verita e figlia del empo, locos y ninos dicen la verdad, crazy people and children tell the truth, nihil est veritatis luce dulcius, veritas nunquam perit, veritatem dies aperit, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, just the facts, ma'am, just the facts.