permanent English · revision 4452

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1432|origins=la permanere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈpɜː.mən.ənt/, US /ˈpɝː.mən.ənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|permanent]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) or directly [[der|la|permanēns|t=remaining]] (stem permanent-),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) present participle of permanēre “to endure, stay to the end”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from per “through” and manēre “to remain”,^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) from [[ine-pro|*men-|t=to remain]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[remain]] and [[mansion]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Continuing or meant to continue indefinitely: between 1432 and 1450 in the OED, from a translation of Higden's Polychronicon,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Of persons, steadfast, also from that date.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In botany it is used of parts that persist, from 1785.^(OED 1989) The ''permanent wave'' in hair is from 1909,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) shortened to the noun ''permanent'' by 1926,^(Barnhart 1988) and to ''perm'' in the 1920s.^(Cresswell 2021) ''Permanent press'', of fabric with lasting creases, is from 1964.^(Etymonline) The American Heritage notes that the word, from a language of a world of impermanence, came to be applied to hair waves, ink and press that are not truly permanent.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1432 – continuing indefinitely.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1785 – in botany.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1909 – permanent wave.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1926 – noun, a permanent wave.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1964 – ''permanent press''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Lasting or meant to last without change; not [[temporary]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Not expected to change in [[status]] or place: ''a permanent job''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[perm]], a long-lasting wave set in the hair.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[permanently]]

+ * [[permanentness]]

+ * [[nonpermanent]]

+ * [[permaculture]]

+ * [[subpermanent]]

+ * [[unpermanent]]

+ * [[impermanent]]

+ * [[semipermanent]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[permafrost]]

+ * [[remain]]

+ * [[mansion]]

+ * [[manor]]

+ * [[perm]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}