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immemorial Definition

im·memo·rial (im′ə môr′ē əl)

adjective

extending back beyond memory or record; ancient

Etymology: ML immemorialis: see in- & memorial

immemorial Related Forms
im′·memo′·ri·ally adverb
immemorial Synonyms

immemorial

modif.

olden, primeval, ancient; see old 3, traditional 2.

immemorial Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • custom: Inhabitants of a village or local fishermen may have a right over the adjacent foreshore acquired by immemorial custom.
  • people: Forecasting Since time immemorial, people have sought to predict the future.
  • time: From immemorial time there has been a manor house on Cadder estate.
  • tradition: It opens with creation narratives from immemorial oral tradition but written down later.
  • antiquity: In England we have: 39 Traditional Counties of immemorial antiquity.
  • man: Since time immemorial man has caught fish and whales, but in the past three decades a rum situation has emerged.