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.
RELATED CONTENT
Hone In vs. Home InDoes a plane home in on a target or hone in on it? Does a musician hone her skills or home them? Are these two verbs interchangeable or do they have discrete meanings? Today we explore the origins and uses of hone and home. Hone entered English as a noun for a pointed rock used as a landmark. In the 1400s, it began to be …
Nearby words
Origin of perpetuity
Related formsnon·per·pe·tu·i·ty, noun, plural non·per·pe·tu·i·ties.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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
Word Origin and History for in-perpetuity
perpetuity
late 14c., from Old French perpetuité "permanence, duration" (13c., Modern French perpétuité) and directly from Latin perpetuitatem (nominative perpetuitas) "uninterrupted duration, continuity, continuous succession," from perpetuus (see perpetual).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper