INVARIABLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does invariable mean? 

• INVARIABLE (noun)
  The noun INVARIABLE has 1 sense:

1. a quantity that does not vary

  Familiarity information: INVARIABLE used as a noun is very rare.

• INVARIABLE (adjective)
  The adjective INVARIABLE has 1 sense:

1. not liable to or capable of change

  Familiarity information: INVARIABLE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INVARIABLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A quantity that does not vary

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

constant; constant quantity; invariable

Hypernyms ("invariable" is a kind of...):

quantity (the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "invariable"):

parameter; parametric quantity (a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves)

• INVARIABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not liable to or capable of change

Context example:

his invariable courtesy

Similar:

changeless; constant; invariant; unvarying (unvarying in nature)

hard-and-fast; strict ((of rules) stringently enforced)

invariant (unaffected by a designated operation or transformation)

Also:

consistent ((sometimes followed by 'with') in agreement or consistent or reliable)

constant (steadfast in purpose or devotion or affection)

Antonym:

variable (liable to or capable of change)

Derivation:

invariability (the quality of being resistant to variation)

invariability (a quality of uniformity and lack of variation)

invariableness (the quality of being resistant to variation)

 Context examples 

Even now her self-command is invariable.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The invariable defects in myocardium and AV cushion resulting from congenital deletion of ALK3 provide strong support for its assessment as a candidate gene in human congenital heart disease.

(ALK Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

So accustomed was I to his invariable success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But I will endeavour to banish every painful thought, and think only of what will make me happy—your affection, and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She is a lady of precise habits, and for four years it has been her invariable custom to write every second week to Miss Dobney, her old governess, who has long retired and lives in Camberwell.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Miss Crawford's attentions to you have been—not more than you were justly entitled to—I am the last person to think that could be, but they have been invariable; and to be returning them with what must have something the air of ingratitude, though I know it could never have the meaning, is not in your nature, I am sure.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Her regard was receiving strength by invariable praise of him, and her regrets kept alive, and feelings irritated by ceaseless repetitions of Miss Hawkins's happiness, and continual observation of, how much he seemed attached!—his air as he walked by the house—the very sitting of his hat, being all in proof of how much he was in love!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She was stronger alone, and her own good sense so well supported her, that her firmness was as unshaken, her appearance of cheerfulness as invariable, as with regrets so poignant and so fresh, it was possible for them to be.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Marianne, who had never much toleration for any thing like impertinence, vulgarity, inferiority of parts, or even difference of taste from herself, was at this time particularly ill-disposed, from the state of her spirits, to be pleased with the Miss Steeles, or to encourage their advances; and to the invariable coldness of her behaviour towards them, which checked every endeavour at intimacy on their side, Elinor principally attributed that preference of herself which soon became evident in the manners of both, but especially of Lucy, who missed no opportunity of engaging her in conversation, or of striving to improve their acquaintance by an easy and frank communication of her sentiments.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Her insipidity was invariable, for even her spirits were always the same; and though she did not oppose the parties arranged by her husband, provided every thing were conducted in style and her two eldest children attended her, she never appeared to receive more enjoyment from them than she might have experienced in sitting at home;—and so little did her presence add to the pleasure of the others, by any share in their conversation, that they were sometimes only reminded of her being amongst them by her solicitude about her troublesome boys.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)