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constancy Definition

con·stancy (kän′stən sē)

noun

the state or quality of being unchanging; specif.,

  1. firmness of mind or purpose; resoluteness
  2. steadiness of affections or loyalties; faithfulness
  3. freedom from variation or change; regularity; stability

Etymology: L constantia < constans, prp. of constare < com-, together + stare, to stand

constancy Synonyms

constancy

n.

  1. Faithfulness

    fidelity, attachment, adherence, fealty, allegiance, devotion, ardor, eagerness, zeal, passion, love, earnestness, steadfastness, permanence, staunchness, principle, integrity, honor, faith, honesty, devotedness, abidingness, endurance, dependability, trustworthiness, trustiness, unchangeableness, consistency, regularity, certainty, unfailingness; see also loyalty, reliability.

    Antonyms faithlessness, disloyalty*, perfidy. *

  2. Determination

    resolution, perseverance, doggedness, firmness; see determination 2.

constancy Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • maintain: For genes and genomes to maintain dynamic constancy, there must be a balanced ecology.
  • affect: Guidance is given to some of the instrumental settings that may affect this constancy.

Adjective modifier

  • perceptual: Question 7 is linked with van Hiele level three and Del Grande perceptual constancy of shape and size.
  • such: In order to maintain such constancy the Catholic employment gap has had to widen or narrow as aggregate unemployment has risen or fallen.
  • great: In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
  • much: These courses we went thro with so much constancy that with moderate application we could scarce fail of acquiring a good knowledg therein.

Modifies a noun

  • problem: A diagonal matrix D which takes all image colors into the canonical gamut is a solution to the color constancy problem.
  • mechanism: Another idea works by analogy with visual constancy mechanisms.

Noun used with modifier

  • color: A diagonal matrix D which takes all image colors into the canonical gamut is a solution to the color constancy problem.
  • size: This leads to gross errors in size constancy, particularly at far viewing distances.
  • orientation: Local orientation constancy ( 3 Mb ): Note that the object turns around with the virtual human that is carrying it.
  • shape: Experiment 3 examined shape constancy for less forceful pulses.
  • object: Multiple levels of visual object constancy revealed by event-related fMRI of repetition priming.

Preposition: in

  • love: May 20, 1784 Coachmakers Hall ' Which is the greater virtue, constancy in love, or sincerity in friendship?

Preposition: of

  • nature: Experience tells us of the past constancy of nature - but experience alone or memory alone can give no intimation of its future constancy.
  • purpose: During periods of change they retain a constancy of purpose.
  • change: There is, of course, no suggestion that we seek to arrest the constancy of change.
  • mind: His generous constancy of mind in resisting the current of popular humor, declared his loyalty to his divine Master.
  • martyr: For this reason it signifies the perfect constancy of the martyrs, who poured forth their blood for Christ.
  • speed: This principle, along with the principle of the constancy of the speed of light, constitutes the founding principles of special relativity.
constancy Quotes

Obstinacy in a bad cause, is but constancy in a good.

—Browne, SirThomas

Since 'tis nature's law to change, Constancyalone is strange.

—Rochester,JohnWilmot, 2nd Earl of

   Alas! they had been friends in youth; But whispering tongues can poison truth; And constancy lives in realms above; And life is thorny; and youth is vain; And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness on the brain. 226

—Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

   Thosewhotalk most abouttheblessings of marriageand the constancy of its vows are the very people who declare that if the claim were broken and the prisoners were left free to choose, the whole social fabric would flyasunder.Youcan't havetheargument both ways.Ifthe prisoner is happy, why lock him in? If he is not, why pretend that he is?

—Shaw, George Bernard

Art thou pale for weariness Of climbing heaven, and gazing on the earth, Wandering companionless Among the stars that have a different birth,ö And ever-changing, like a joyless eye That finds no object worth its constancy?

—Shelley, Percy Bysshe