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permanent (adj.)

"enduring, unchanging, unchanged, lasting or intended to last indefinitely," early 15c., from Old French permanent, parmanent (14c.) or directly from Latin permanentem (nominative permanens) "remaining," present participle of permanere "endure, hold out, continue, stay to the end," from per "through" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "through") + manere "stay" (from PIE root *men- (3) "to remain").

Related: Permanently. As a noun meaning "permanent wave," by 1909. Of clothing, permanent press, in reference to a process designed to produce lasting creases in fabric," is attested from 1964.

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Definitions of permanent from WordNet
1
permanent (adj.)
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place;
permanent secretary to the president
literature of permanent value
permanent address
Synonyms: lasting
permanent (adj.)
not capable of being reversed or returned to the original condition;
permanent brain damage
2
permanent (n.)
a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals;
Synonyms: permanent wave / perm
From wordnet.princeton.edu