Cŏn’stant1, a.
a. [Lat. constans, p. pr. of constare, to stand firm, from con and stare, to stand; Fr. constant, It. costante.]
Sense 1. Having fixedness or firmness in quality, nature, &c.; firm;—opposed to fluid. [Obs.]
If ... you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body. Boyle.
Sense 2. Not liable, or given, to change; fixed; permanent; persevering; unshaken; steady.
The world's a scene of changes, and to be Constant, in nature, were inconstancy. Cowley.
His gifts, his constant courtship, nothing gained. Dryden.
I am constant to my purposes; they follow the king's pleasure. Shak.
Sense 3. (Math. & Physics.) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, &c., when it continues unchanged.
Synonyms—Fixed; steadfast; unchanging; permanent; unalterable; immutable; invariable; perpetual; continual; resolute; firm; unshaken; determined.—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 occurrence; 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 occurring 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.