sempiternal

[ sem-pi-tur-nl ]

adjective

, Literary.

1. everlasting; eternal.

sempiternal

/ ˌsɛmpɪˈtɜːnɪtɪ; ˌsɛmpɪˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. literary.
   everlasting; eternal

Derived Forms

• sempiternity, noun
• ˌsempiˈternally, adverb

Other Words From

• sempi·ternal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sempiternal¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin sempiternālis, equivalent to Latin sempitern ( us ) everlasting semp ( er ) always + -i- -i- + -ternus suffix of temporal adjectives; eterne ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sempiternal¹

C15: from Old French sempiternel, from Late Latin sempiternālis, from Latin sempiternus, from semper always + aeternus eternal

Example Sentences

The sempiternal effluence streams abroad Spreading, wherever charity extends.

From Project Gutenberg

For a moment that seemed sempiternal a kind of horrible silence reigned over the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Sempiternal, sem-pi-tėr′nal, adj. everlasting: endless—also Semp′itern.

From Project Gutenberg

Her answer was that the rape was committed in the dortour, where she durst not cry because it was a place of sempiternal silence.

From Project Gutenberg

Wherefore he is neither now or then, but sempiternal and for ever.

From Project Gutenberg