I. per ‧ ma ‧ nent 1 S2 W2 /ˈpɜːmənənt $ ˈpɜːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: present participle of permanere 'to stay till the end' ]
continuing to exist for a long time or for all the time in the future OPP temporary :
He gave up a permanent job in order to freelance.
a permanent change in your eating habits
The blindness that the disease causes will be permanent.
Miller soon became a permanent fixture (=someone or something that is always there) on the team.
—permanence ( also permanency ) noun [uncountable] :
the permanence of parental love
our desire for some sense of permanence
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THESAURUS
▪ permanent continuing forever, for a very long time, or for the rest of your life:
She has permanent damage to her eyesight.
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the search for a permanent solution to the problem
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They’ve offered her the job on a permanent basis.
▪ lasting continuing for a very long time – used especially when something continues to affect someone or something for a long time:
The experience left a lasting impression on him.
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Things that happen in early childhood can have a lasting effect on your life.
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Shelley was to have a lasting influence on him.
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Is there any hope for a lasting peace in the Middle East?
▪ never-ending continuing so long that you think it will never end – used especially when something needs a lot of effort:
Keeping the house clean is a never-ending battle.
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It was a never-ending task.
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The search was never-ending.
▪ perpetual a perpetual state or feeling seems to be there all the time – used especially about something that is very annoying, worrying, or tiring:
For many working mothers, balancing the demands of children and job is a perpetual challenge.
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The people live in a perpetual state of fear.
▪ everlasting continuing forever – used especially in the following phrases:
Gold is the symbol of everlasting love.
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He promised them everlasting life.
▪ eternal continuing forever – used especially in the following phrases:
Do you believe in eternal life?
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the secret of eternal youth
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She has my eternal gratitude (=I will always be grateful to her) .
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You’re always the eternal optimist. (=you always think that good things will happen)
II. permanent 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
American English a ↑ perm 1