Constant — Defs

01 a. Firm; solid; fixed; immovable; -- opposed to fluid.

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. Opposite of changeable and variable.
“Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends.” — Sir P. Sidney.

“I am constant to my purposes.” — Shak.

“His gifts, his constant courtship, nothing gained.” — Dryden.

“Onward the constant current sweeps.” — Longfellow.
3.
Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc.(Math. & Physics)
4.
Consistent; logical.[Obs.]

Syn. 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 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.

02 n. That which is not subject to change; that which is invariable.

1.
That which is not subject to change; that which is invariable.
2.
A quantity that does not change its value; -- used in countradistinction to variable.(Math.)
3.
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.(Astron.)
4.
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.(Physics)
5.
A value that does not change during the course of execution of a program; -- contrasted with variable.(Computers)

Phrases & compounds

Aberration constant — 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″.47.

Absolute constant — 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.

Gravitation constant — 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 — 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.

Constant of integration — an undetermined constant added to every result of integration.