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per·ma·nent

(pûrmə-nənt)

adj.

1. Lasting or remaining without essential change: "the universal human yearning for something permanent, enduring, without shadow of change" (Willa Cather).

2. Not expected to change in status, condition, or place: a permanent address; permanent secretary to the president.

Any of several long-lasting hair styles usually achieved by chemical applications that straighten, curl, or wave the hair.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin permanēns, permanent-, present participle of permanēre, to endure : per-, throughout; see PER- + manēre, to remain; see men-³ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

perma·nent·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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