The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

permanent \permanent\ n.
   1. A wave or curl in the hair that lasts for months and is
      made durable by treating the hair with chemicals when it
      is curled.

   Syn: permanent wave.
        [PJC]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Permanent \Per"ma*nent\, a. [L. permanens, -entis, p. pr. of
   permanere to stay or remain to the end, to last; per + manere
   to remain: cf. F. permanent. See Per-, and Mansion.]
   Continuing in the same state, or without any change that
   destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved;
   abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent
   impression.
   [1913 Webster]

         Eternity stands permanent and fixed.     --Dryden.
   [1913 Webster]

   Permanent gases (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen,
      nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; -- also called
      incondensible gases or incoercible gases, before their
      liquefaction in 1877. The term is now archaic.

   Permanent way, the roadbed and superstructure of a finished
      railway; -- so called in distinction from the contractor's
      temporary way.

   Permanent white (Chem.), barium sulphate (heavy spar),
      used as a white pigment or paint, in distinction from
      white lead, which tarnishes and darkens from the
      formation of the sulphide.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Lasting; durable; constant. See Lasting.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

permanent
    adj 1: continuing or enduring without marked change in status or
           condition or place; "permanent secretary to the
           president"; "permanent address"; "literature of permanent
           value" [syn: permanent, lasting] [ant: impermanent,
           temporary]
    2: not capable of being reversed or returned to the original
       condition; "permanent brain damage"
    n 1: a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and
         chemicals [syn: permanent wave, permanent, perm]