Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

         Eternity stands permanent and fixed.     --Dryden.

   {Permanent gases} (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen,
      nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; -- also called
      {incondensible or incoercible gases}, before their
      liquefaction in 1877.

Source : WordNet®

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: {lasting}] [ant: {impermanent}]
     2: not capable of being reversed or returned to the original
        condition; "permanent brain damage"

permanent
     n : a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and
         chemicals [syn: {permanent wave}, {perm}]