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perpetual Definition

per·pet·ual (pər pec̸h′o̵̅o̅ əl)

adjective

  1. lasting or enduring forever or for an indefinitely long time; eternal; permanent
  2. continuing indefinitely without interruption; unceasing; constant a perpetual nuisance
  3. blooming continuously throughout the growing season

Etymology: ME perpetuel < OFr < L perpetualis < perpetuus, constant < perpes (gen. perpetis), continuous < per-, through + petere, to strive, rush at, fall: see feather

noun

a perpetual plant; esp., a variety of perpetual hybrid rose

perpetual Related Forms
per·pet′·ual·ly adverb
perpetual Synonyms

perpetual

modif.

  1. Never stopping

    continuous, unceasing, constant, ceaseless, never-ceasing, incessant, permanent, lasting, perennial, uninterrupted, eternal, endless, everlasting, interminable, unremitting, enduring, continued, without end, imperishable, undying, immortal, sempiternal; see also eternal 2.

    Antonyms short*, transitory, fleeting.

  2. Continually repeating

    incessant, repetitious, continual, recurring, repeating, recurrent, intermittent, going on and on, persistent, returning, annual; see also constant 1, regular 3.

perpetual applies to that which lasts or persists for an indefinitely long time a perpetual nuisance; continual applies to that which recurs repeatedly or goes on unceasingly over a long period of time continual arguments, continual rain; continuous applies to that which extends without interruption in either space or time a continuous expanse, a continuous flow of traffic; constant stresses uniformity, steadiness, or regularity in occurrence or recurrence the constant beat of the heart; incessant implies unceasing or uninterrupted activity incessant chatter; eternal stresses endlessness or timelessness the eternal verities

perpetual Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • curacy: The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Durham, value £ 62.
  • curate: He was the son of the Perpetual Curate of St Peter's, then still a Collegiate Church.
  • virginity: The language of the verse does not imply the perpetual virginity of Mary.
  • carnation: The cultivation of Malmaisons is similar in many respects to the modern perpetual flowering carnation.
  • posy: Perpetual Posies We offer an experienced bouquet preservation service.
  • trophy: Fish Scotland has donated the superb perpetual team trophy for the 6 Nations Championships.

Modifying Another Word

  • seemingly: For those two years, Wimbledon fans were in seemingly perpetual dispute with the club's owners.
  • almost: On the higher slopes, giant alpine plants sprout from an almost perpetual fog.
  • not: Perpetual war, not perpetual peace, is what Straussians believe in.
  • also: The benefice, now a vicarage, is held by the Rev. John A. Scott, who is also perpetual curate of Armathwaite Chapel.
  • virtually: In one recent period, the Short Strand was under virtually perpetual attack.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: He agreed to become perpetual Patron and made a gift of £ 1000 to the building fund.
  • have: And all this has perpetual, eternal consequences for us; Christ is always there for us to call upon.
  • judge: All previous Rules and Standards for judging Perpetual Flowering Carnations are hereby rescinded.
perpetual Quotes

The light in the window seemed perpetual Where you stayed in the high room for me

—Spender, Sir Stephen Harold

We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies.Our interests are eternal, and it is our duty to follow them.

—Palmerston, HenryJohnTemple, 3rd Viscount

A perpetual holiday is a good working definition of hell.

—Shaw, George Bernard

The perpetual hunger to be beautifuland thatthirsttobe loved which is the real curse of Eve.

—Rhys,Jean pseudonym of  Ellen Gwendolen Rees Williams

Mirth is short and transient, cheerfulness fixed and permanent† Mirth is like a flash of lightning that breaks through a gloom of clouds, and glitters for a moment: cheerfulness keeps up a kind of day-light in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity.

—Addison,Joseph

Come, my Celia, let us prove, While we can, the sports of love, Time will not be ours for ever, He, at length, our good will sever; Spend not then his gifts in vain: Suns that set may rise again; But if once we lose this light, 'Tis with us perpetual night. Why should we defer our joys? Fame and rumour are but toys.

—Jonson, Ben