perm

¹

[purm]

noun

1. permanent.

verb (used with object)

1. to give (the hair) a permanent.

verb (used without object)

1. to apply a permanent to the hair.

Perm

²

[purm, pairm, pyerm]

noun

1. a city in the E Russian Federation in Europe, on the Kama River.

perm

¹

/ pɜːm /

noun

1. Also called (esp formerly): permanent wave. a hairstyle produced by treatment with heat, chemicals, etc which gives long-lasting waves, curls, or other shaping

2. the act of giving or receiving such a hairstyle

verb

1. (tr) to give a perm to (hair)

Perm

²

/ pjermj /

noun

1. Former name (1940–62): Molotov. a port in W Russia, on the Kama River: oil refinery; university (1916). Pop: 984 000 (2005 est)

perm

³

/ pɜːm /

noun

1. short for permutation

Word History and Origins

Origin of perm¹

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening