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constant

more about constant

constant

 

  4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Constant  \Con"stant\,  n. 
  1.  (Astron.)  A  number  whose  value,  when  ascertained  (as  by 
  observation)  and  substituted  in  a  general  mathematical 
  formula  expressing  an  astronomical  law,  completely 
  determines  that  law  and  enables  predictions  to  be  made  of 
  its  effect  in  particular  cases. 
 
  2.  (Physics)  A  number  expressing  some  property  or  condition 
  of  a  substance  or  of  an  instrument  of  precision;  as  the 
  dielectric  constant  of  quartz;  the  collimation  constant  of 
  a  transit  instrument. 
 
  {Aberration  constant},  or  {Constant  of  aberration}  (Astron.), 
  a  number  which  by  substitution  in  the  general  formula  for 
  aberration  enables  a  prediction  to  be  made  of  the  effect 
  of  aberration  on  a  star  anywhere  situated.  Its  value  is 
  20[sec].47. 
 
  {Constant  of  integration}  (Math.),  an  undetermined  constant 
  added  to  every  result  of  integration. 
 
  {Gravitation  constant}  (Physics),  the  acceleration  per  unit 
  of  time  produced  by  the  attraction  of  a  unit  of  mass  at 
  unit  distance.  When  this  is  known  the  acceleration 
  produced  at  any  distance  can  be  calculated. 
 
  {Solar  constant}  (Astron.),  the  quantity  of  heat  received  by 
  the  earth  from  the  sun  in  a  unit  of  time.  It  is  on  the  C. 
  G.  S.  system,  0.0417  small  calories  per  square  centimeter 
  per  second  --Young. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Constant  \Con"stant\,  a.  [L.  onstans  -antis,  p.  pr  of  constare 
  to  stand  firm,  to  be  consistent;  con-  +  stare  to  stand:  cf 
  F.  constant.  See  {Stand}  and  cf  {Cost},  v.  t.] 
  1.  Firm;  solid;  fixed;  immovable;  --  opposed  to  fluid.  [Obs.] 
 
  If  .  .  .  you  mix  them  you  may  turn  these  two  fluid 
  liquors  into  a  constant  body.  --Boyle. 
 
  2.  Not  liable,  or  given  to  change;  permanent;  regular; 
  continuous;  continually  recurring;  steadfast;  faithful; 
  not  fickle. 
 
  Both  loving  one  fair  maid,  they  yet  remained 
  constant  friends.  --Sir  P. 
  Sidney. 
 
  I  am  constant  to  my  purposes.  --Shak. 
 
  His  gifts,  his  constant  ourtship  nothing  gained. 
  --Dryden. 
 
  Onward  the  constant  current  sweeps.  --Longfellow. 
 
  3.  (Math.  &  Physics)  Remaining  unchanged  or  invariable,  as  a 
  quantity,  force,  law,  etc 
 
  4.  Consistent;  logical.  [Obs.]  --Shak. 
 
  Syn:  Fixed;  steadfast;  unchanging;  permanent;  unalterable; 
  immutable;  invariable;  perpetual;  continual;  resolute; 
  firm;  unshaken;  determined. 
 
  Usage:  {Constant},  {Continual},  {Perpetual}.  These  words  are 
  sometimes  used  in  an  absolute  and  sometimes  in  a 
  qualified  sense  Constant  denotes,  in  its  absolute 
  sense  unchangeably  fixed;  as  a  constant  mind  or 
  purpose.  In  its  qualified  sense  it  marks  something  as 
  a  ``standing''  fact  or  occurence  as  liable  to 
  constant  interruptions;  constantly  called  for 
  Continual,  in  its  absolute  sense  coincides  with 
  continuous.  See  {Continuous}.  In  its  qualified  sense 
  it  describes  a  thing  as  occuring  in  steady  and  rapid 
  succession;  as  a  round  of  continual  calls; 
  continually  changing.  Perpetual  denotes,  in  its 
  absolute  sense  what  literally  never  ceases  or  comes 
  to  an  end  as  perpetual  motion.  In  its  qualified 
  sense  it  is  used  hyperbolically,  and  denotes  that 
  which  rarely  ceases;  as  perpetual  disturbance; 
  perpetual  noise;  perpetual  intermeddling. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Constant  \Con"stant\,  n. 
  1.  That  which  is  not  subject  to  change;  that  which  is 
  invariable. 
 
  2.  (Math.)  A  quantity  that  does  not  change  its  value;  --  used 
  in  countradistinction  to  {variable}. 
 
  {Absolute  constant}  (Math.),  one  whose  value  is  absolutely 
  the  same  under  all  circumstances,  as  the  number  10,  or  any 
  numeral. 
 
  {Arbitrary  constant},  an  undetermined  constant  in  a 
  differential  equation  having  the  same  value  during  all 
  changes  in  the  values  of  the  variables. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  constant 
  adj  1:  persistent  in  occurrence  and  unvarying  in  nature; 
  "maintained  a  constant  temperature";  "a  constant 
  beat";  "principles  of  unvarying  validity";  "a  steady 
  breeze"  [syn:  {changeless},  {invariant},  {steady},  {unvarying}] 
  2:  continually  recurring  or  continuing  without  interruption; 
  "constant  repetition  of  the  exercise";  "constant  chatter 
  of  monkeys" 
  3:  steadfast  in  purpose  or  devotion  or  affection;  "a  man 
  constant  in  adherence  to  his  ideals";  "a  constant  lover"; 
  "constant  as  the  northern  star"  [ant:  {inconstant}] 
  4:  uninterrupted  in  time  and  indefinitely  long  continuing;  "the 
  ceaseless  thunder  of  surf";  "in  constant  pain";  "night  and 
  day  we  live  with  the  incessant  noise  of  the  city";  "the 
  never-ending  search  for  happiness";  "the  perpetual 
  struggle  to  maintain  standards  in  a  democracy";  "man's 
  unceasing  warfare  with  drought  and  isolation"; 
  "unremitting  demands  of  hunger"  [syn:  {ceaseless},  {incessant}, 
  {never-ending},  {perpetual},  {unceasing},  {unremitting}] 
  n  1:  a  quantity  that  does  not  vary  [syn:  {constant  quantity}] 
  2:  a  number  representing  a  quantity  assumed  to  have  a  fixed 
  value  in  a  specified  mathematical  context;  "the  velocity 
  of  light  is  a  constant"




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