The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Committee \Com*mit"tee\, n. [Cf. OF. comit['e] company, and LL.
   comitatus jurisdiction or territory of a count, county,
   assize, army. The word was apparently influenced by the verb
   commit, but not directly formed from it. Cf. County.]
   One or more persons elected or appointed, to whom any matter
   or business is referred, either by a legislative body, or by
   a court, or by any collective body of men acting together.
   [1913 Webster]

   Committee of the whole [house], a committee, embracing all
      the members present, into which a legislative or
      deliberative body sometimes resolves itself, for the
      purpose of considering a particular measure under the
      operation of different rules from those governing the
      general legislative proceedings. The committee of the
      whole has its own chairman, and reports its action in the
      form of recommendations.

   Standing committee. See under Standing.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Standing \Stand"ing\, a.
   1. Remaining erect; not cut down; as, standing corn.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Not flowing; stagnant; as, standing water.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Not transitory; not liable to fade or vanish; lasting; as,
      a standing color.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Established by law, custom, or the like; settled;
      continually existing; permanent; not temporary; as, a
      standing army; legislative bodies have standing rules of
      proceeding and standing committees.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Not movable; fixed; as, a standing bed (distinguished from
      a trundle-bed).
      [1913 Webster]

   Standing army. See Standing army, under Army.

   Standing bolt. See Stud bolt, under Stud, a stem.

   Standing committee, in legislative bodies, etc., a
      committee appointed for the consideration of all subjects
      of a particular class which shall arise during the session
      or a stated period.

   Standing cup, a tall goblet, with a foot and a cover.

   Standing finish (Arch.), that part of the interior
      fittings, esp. of a dwelling house, which is permanent and
      fixed in its place, as distinguished from doors, sashes,
      etc.

   Standing order
      (a) (Eccl.), the denomination (Congregational) established
          by law; -- a term formerly used in Connecticut. See
          also under Order.
      (a) (Com.) an order for goods which are to be delivered
          periodically, without the need for renewal of the
          order before each delivery.

   Standing part. (Naut.)
      (a) That part of a tackle which is made fast to a block,
          point, or other object.
      (b) That part of a rope around which turns are taken with
          the running part in making a knot or the like.

   Standing rigging (Naut.), the cordage or ropes which
      sustain the masts and remain fixed in their position, as
      the shrouds and stays, -- distinguished from running
      rigging.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

standing committee
    n 1: a permanent committee