different between impermanent vs shifting

English

Etymology

From Middle French impermanent, from im- +? permanent.

Adjective

impermanent

1. not permanent; momentary

Related terms

• impermanence

Translations

References

• impermanent in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• impermanent in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

French

Etymology

From in- +? permanent.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.p??.ma.n??/

Adjective

impermanent (feminine singular impermanente, masculine plural impermanents, feminine plural impermanentes)

1. impermanent

Related terms

• impermanence

English

Noun

shifting (plural shiftings)

1. A shift or change; a shifting movement.
   • 1811, Charles Lamb, On the Tragedies of Shakespeare Considered with Reference to their Fitness for Stage Representation

     I remember the last time I saw Macbeth played, the discrepancy I felt at the changes of garment which he varied, the shiftings and reshiftings, like a Romish priest at mass.

   • 1978, Jack Vance, The View from Chickweed's Window

     Then everyone moved at the same time — slight shiftings of the hands and feet, furtive easings of position.

2. (linguistics) The phenomenon by which two or more constituents appearing on the same side of their common head exchange positions to obtain non-canonical order.

Derived terms

• gear-shifting

Verb

shifting

1. present participle of shift

Anagrams

• infights