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.
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         Eternity stands permanent and fixed.     --Dryden.
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   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.
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   Syn: Lasting; durable; constant. See Lasting.
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