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What is the difference between permanent and perennial?

permanent | perennial |

As adjectives the difference between permanent and perennial

is that permanent is without end, eternal while perennial is lasting or remaining active throughout the year, or all the time.

As nouns the difference between permanent and perennial

is that permanent is a chemical hair treatment imparting or removing curliness, whose effects typically last for a period of weeks; a perm while perennial is a perennial plant; a plant that is active throughout the year or survives for more than two growing seasons. Compare {{term|annual}}, {{term|biennial}}.

As a verb permanent

is to perm (the hair).

permanent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Without end, eternal.
    • Nothing in this world is truly permanent .
  • Lasting for an indefinitely long time.
    • The countries are now locked in a permanent state of conflict.

    Antonyms

    * impermanent, temporary

    Derived terms

    * permanently * permanent marker * permanent wave * permanent way

    Related terms

    * permafrost * permatemp

    Noun

    (wikipedia permanent) (en noun)
  • A chemical hair treatment imparting or removing curliness, whose effects typically last for a period of weeks; a perm.
  • * 1943 , (Raymond Chandler), The High Window , Penguin 2005, p. 8:
    • She had pewter-coloured hair set in a ruthless permanent , a hard beak and large moist eyes with the sympathetic expression of wet stones.
  • (linear algebra, combinatorics) Given an n \times n matrix a_{ij} \,, the sum over all permutations \pi \, of \prod_{i=1}^n{a_{i\pi(i)}}.

    • See also

    * determinant * ephemeral * relaxer * temporary

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (dated) To perm (the hair).

    • External links

    * * * ----

    perennial

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, or all the time.
    • a perennial stream
  • (botany, of a plant) Having a life cycle of more than two years. Compare (annual), (biennial).
  • (figuratively) Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual; permanent; unceasing; never failing.
  • * 1790 ,
    • The perennial existence of bodies corporate and their fortunes are things particularly suited to a man who has long views…
  • (figuratively) Enduring; lasting; timeless.
    • His artwork has a perennial beauty.
  • (figuratively) Recurrent; appearing or recurring again and again.
    • Change is a perennial theme in politics.

    Derived terms

    * perennially

    Noun

    (Perennial plant) (en noun)
  • A perennial plant; a plant that is active throughout the year or survives for more than two growing seasons. Compare (annual), (biennial).