perpetual

The definition of perpetual is something that goes on or lasts forever or an extremely long time.

(adjective)

An example of perpetual is love between a mother and child.

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See perpetual in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

Origin: 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

Related Forms:

See perpetual in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Lasting for eternity.
  2. Continuing or lasting for an indefinitely long time.
  3. Instituted to be in effect or have tenure for an unlimited duration: a treaty of perpetual friendship.
  4. Continuing without interruption. See Synonyms at continual.
  5. Flowering throughout the growing season.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English perpetuel

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin perpetuālis

Origin: , from perpetuus, continuous

Origin: : per-, per-

Origin: + petere, to go toward; see pet- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • per·petˈu·al·ly adverb

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