perpetuity

[ pur-pi-too-i-tee, -tyoo- ]

/ ˌpɜr pɪˈtu ɪ ti, -ˈtyu- /

noun, plural per·pe·tu·i·ties.

the state or character of being perpetual (often preceded by in): to desire happiness in perpetuity.

endless or indefinitely long duration or existence; eternity.

something that is perpetual.

an annuity paid for life.

Law. an interest under which property is less than completely alienable for longer than the law allows.

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Do you study our Words of the Day with great assiduity? See how many you remember from March 30 to April 5!

Question 1 of 7

transliterate

to remove or destroy all traces of.

to change (letters, words, etc.), into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

to explain in terms that can be more easily understood.

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Origin of perpetuity

1375–1425; late Middle English perpetuite < Latin perpetuitās. See perpetual, -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM perpetuity

non·per·pe·tu·i·ty, noun, plural non·per·pe·tu·i·ties.

Words nearby perpetuity

perpetual debenture, perpetual inventory, perpetual motion, perpetual-motion machine, perpetuate, perpetuity, perphenazine, perpignan, perplex, perplexed, perplexity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for in-perpetuity

perpetuity

/ (ˌpɜːpɪˈtjuːɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

eternity

the state or quality of being perpetual

property law a limitation preventing the absolute disposal of an estate for longer than the period allowed by law

an annuity with no maturity date and payable indefinitely

in perpetuity for ever

Word Origin for perpetuity

C15: from Old French perpetuite, from Latin perpetuitās continuity; see perpetual

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012