Constance

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A quality of being steadfast and unwavering, often associated with loyalty or faithfulness in relationships or commitments
2. The state of remaining consistent or unchanged over time, regardless of circumstances or pressures
3. The characteristic of being constant in behavior or attitude, reflecting reliability and dependability in various situations

Etymology: The noun "constance" arrived in English by way of Old French, carrying with it the Latin idea of standing firm. Its Latin source, "constantia," came from "constans," the present participle of "constare," meaning "to stand firm" or "to be fixed." The Latin verb was built from "com-," an intensifying prefix, and "stare," "to stand," so the root image is of something planted solidly in place. Constance therefore began as a physical steadiness before it became a quality of character. The word has a twin in English. "Constancy" comes from the same Latin source and is a doublet of "constance," meaning the two words entered English along different routes and settled into near-synonyms. Both trace back to "constantia," which carried the sense of steadfastness, firmness of purpose, and resolve. Over time, the word came to describe a person whose loyalty and behavior stay unwavering, which is the sense used today.

Synonyms: constancy, steadfastness, faithfulness, loyalty, perseverance

Antonyms: inconstancy, fickleness, disloyalty, unfaithfulness, instability