Constant
Constant (kon"stant) , adjective
[Latin onstans, -antis, present participle of constare to stand firm, to be consistent; con- + stare to stand: compare French constant. See Stand and compare Cost, transitive verb]
1.
Firm; solid; fixed; immovable; -- opposed to fluid. [Obsolete]
If... you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body.
2.
Not liable, or given, to change; permanent; regular; continuous; continually recurring; steadfast; faithful; not fickle. Opposite of changeable and variable.
Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends.
I am constant to my purposes.
His gifts, his constant courtship, nothing gained.
Onward the constant current sweeps.
3.
(Mathematics & Physics) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc.
4.
Consistent; logical. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
Constant , noun
1.
That which is not subject to change; that which is invariable.
2.
(Mathematics) A quantity that does not change its value; -- used in countradistinction to variable.
3.
(Astronomy) 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.
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.
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.
Collocations (6)
Aberration constant or Constant of aberration (Astronomy) , 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 20s.47.
Absolute constant (Mathematics) , 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 (Astronomy) , 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
Constant of integration (Mathematics) , an undetermined constant added to every result of integration.