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perpetual

[ per-pech-oo-uhl ]
/ pərˈpɛtʃ u əl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR perpetual ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

continuing or enduring forever; everlasting.
lasting an indefinitely long time: perpetual snow.
continuing or continued without intermission or interruption; ceaseless: a perpetual stream of visitors all day.
blooming almost continuously throughout the season or the year.

noun

a hybrid rose that is perpetual.
a perennial plant.

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Origin of perpetual

First recorded in 1300–50; late Middle English perpetuall, from Latin perpetuālis “permanent, universal, general,” equivalent to perpetu(us) “continuous, uninterrupted” (per- “through, thoroughly” + pet-, base of petere “to seek, reach for” + -uus adjective suffix derived from a verb) + -ālis adjective suffix; replacing Middle English perpetuel, from Middle French, from Latin as above; see per-, -al1

synonym study for perpetual

1. See eternal.

OTHER WORDS FROM perpetual

Words nearby perpetual

perpend, perpendicular, perpent, perpetrate, perpetrator, perpetual, perpetual adoration, perpetual calendar, perpetual check, perpetual debenture, perpetual inventory
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to perpetual

ceaseless, constant, perennial, unceasing, continuous, eternal, persistent, never-ending, incessant, unending, permanent, enduring, infinite, interminable, endless, recurring, continued, abiding, everlasting, immortal

Example sentences from the Web for perpetual

British Dictionary definitions for perpetual

perpetual
/ (pəˈpɛtjʊəl) /

adjective

(usually prenominal) eternal; permanent
(usually prenominal) seemingly ceaseless because often repeatedyour perpetual complaints
horticulture blooming throughout the growing season or year

noun

(of a crop plant) continually producing edible parts: perpetual spinach
a plant that blooms throughout the growing season

Derived forms of perpetual

perpetually, adverb

Word Origin for perpetual

C14: via Old French from Latin perpetuālis universal, from perpes continuous, from per- (thoroughly) + petere to go towards
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