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79 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]


  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]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]


  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 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.]
  
     4. (Physics) 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.]
  
     5. (Computers) 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[sec].47.
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster + Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]


  Constant \Con"stant\, n.
     1. (Astron.) 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.
  
     2. (Physics) 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.
  
     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[sec].47.
  
     Constant of integration (Math.), an undetermined constant
        added to every result of integration.
  
     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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]


  Constant \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. [Obs.]
  
              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 ourtship, nothing gained.
                                                    --Dryden.
  
              Onward the constant current sweeps.   --Longfellow.
  
     3. (Math. & Physics) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a
        quantity, force, law, etc.
  
     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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]


  Constant \Con"stant\, n.
     1. That which is not subject to change; that which is
        invariable.
  
     2. (Math.) A quantity that does not change its value; -- used
        in countradistinction to variable.
  
     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.

From WordNet (r) 2.0 : [ wn ]


  constant
       adj 1: persistent in occurrence and unvarying in nature;
              "maintained a constant temperature"; "a constant
              beat"; "principles of unvarying validity"; "a steady
              breeze" [syn: changeless, invariant, steady, unvarying]
       2: continually recurring or continuing without interruption;
          "constant repetition of the exercise"; "constant chatter
          of monkeys"
       3: steadfast in purpose or devotion or affection; "a man
          constant in adherence to his ideals"; "a constant lover";
          "constant as the northern star" [ant: inconstant]
       4: uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing; "the
          ceaseless thunder of surf"; "in constant pain"; "night and
          day we live with the incessant noise of the city"; "the
          never-ending search for happiness"; "the perpetual
          struggle to maintain standards in a democracy"; "man's
          unceasing warfare with drought and isolation";
          "unremitting demands of hunger" [syn: ceaseless, incessant,
           never-ending, perpetual, unceasing, unremitting]
       n 1: a quantity that does not vary [syn: constant quantity]
       2: a number representing a quantity assumed to have a fixed
          value in a specified mathematical context; "the velocity
          of light is a constant"

From Greek Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-el-ALL-2023-07-27 ]


  constant
     Γαλλικά a.
     σταθερός, βέβαιος

From Greek Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-el-ALL-2023-07-27 ]


  Constant
     Γαλλικά n.
     ανδρικό όνομα, ο Κωνστάντιος

From English Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-ALL-2023-07-27 ]


  constant
     Catalan a.
     (l en constant)
     Catalan n.
     (l en constant)
     Dutch a.
     1 (l en constant), invariable
     2 constant, continuous, unceasing
     Latin vb.
     (inflection of la cōnstō  3 p pres actv indc)

From English Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-ALL-2023-07-27 ]


  Constant
     Norman n.
     (given name nrf male)

From English Wiktionary: English language only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-en-2023-07-27 ]


  constant
     a.
     1 unchanged through time or space; permanent.
     2 consistently recurring over time; persistent.
     n.
     1 That which is permanent or invariable.
     2 (lb en algebra) A quantity that remains at a fixed value throughout
  a given discussion.
     3 (lb en science) Any property of an experiment, determined
  numerically, that does not change under given circumstances.
     4 (lb en computing) An identifier that is bound to an invariant
  value; a fixed value given a name to aid in readability of source code.

From English Wiktionary: English language only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-en-2023-07-27 ]


  Constant
     n.
     1 (lb en rare) (given name en male from=Latin f=Constance)
     2 (surname: en).
     3 (place en populated place par/Saint George c/Barbados).

From English Wiktionary: Western, Greek, and Slavonic languages only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western_Greek_Slavonic-2023-07-27 ]


  constant
     Catalan a.
     (l en constant)
     Catalan n.
     (l en constant)
     Dutch a.
     1 (l en constant), invariable
     2 constant, continuous, unceasing
     Latin vb.
     (inflection of la cōnstō  3 p pres actv indc)

From English Wiktionary: Western, Greek, and Slavonic languages only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western_Greek_Slavonic-2023-07-27 ]


  Constant
     n.
     1 (lb en rare) (given name en male from=Latin f=Constance)
     2 (surname: en).
     3 (place en populated place par/Saint George c/Barbados).

From English Wiktionary: Western languages only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western-2023-07-27 ]


  constant
     Catalan a.
     (l en constant)
     Catalan n.
     (l en constant)
     Dutch a.
     1 (l en constant), invariable
     2 constant, continuous, unceasing
     Latin vb.
     (inflection of la cōnstō  3 p pres actv indc)

From English Wiktionary: Western languages only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western-2023-07-27 ]


  Constant
     n.
     1 (lb en rare) (given name en male from=Latin f=Constance)
     2 (surname: en).
     3 (place en populated place par/Saint George c/Barbados).

From Finnish Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-fi-ALL-2023-07-27 ]


  constant
     Ranska a.
     1 kestävä, vakaa, muuttumaton, vakio
     2 pysyvä, kestävä, jatkuva

From Swedish Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-sv-ALL-2023-07-27 ]


  constant
     Engelska a.
     konstant, beständig
     Engelska n.
     (tagg matematik språk=en) konstant

From English-Afrikaans FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.1.3 : [ freedict:eng-afr ]


  constant /kˈɒnstənt/
  1. aanhoudend, permanent, vas

From English-Arabic FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.6.3 : [ freedict:eng-ara ]


  Constant /kˈɒnstənt/
  ثابت

From English-български език FreeDict+WikDict dictionary ver. 2023.05.29 : [ freedict:eng-bul ]


  constant //ˈkɑnstənt// //ˈkɒnstənt// 
  1. постоянен, непрекъснат
  consistently recurring over time
  2. неизменен, постоянен
  unchanged through time

From English-български език FreeDict+WikDict dictionary ver. 2023.05.29 : [ freedict:eng-bul ]


  constant //ˈkɑnstənt// //ˈkɒnstənt// 
  1. конста́нта
  algebra: quantity that remains fixed
  2. постоянна величина
  that which is permanent or invariable