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“perpetual”
perpetual (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Something that is occurring so frequently as to seem to be continuing forever or for a very long time without stopping: "Theodore seems to have a perpetual grin on his face whenever you see him."
3. A description of flowers or flowering plants that bloom throughout the season: "Madeline has perpetual carnations and other flowers in her green house."
4. Etymology: from Old French perpetuel, from Latin perpetualis, "universal"; in Medieval Latin, "permanent", from perpetuus, "continuous, universal"; from perpetis, genitive (expressing "possession" or "origin") of Old Latin perpes, "lasting"; probably from per-, "through" + root of petere, "to seek, to go to, to aim at".
"With the economic slowdown, many people are in perpetual debt."
"It seems that there is a perpetual suffering for too many poor people in the world."
2. Uninterrupted in time and continuing indefinitely or happening all the time or very often: "The perpetual demands of parenthood can be very stressful at times."3. A description of flowers or flowering plants that bloom throughout the season: "Madeline has perpetual carnations and other flowers in her green house."
4. Etymology: from Old French perpetuel, from Latin perpetualis, "universal"; in Medieval Latin, "permanent", from perpetuus, "continuous, universal"; from perpetis, genitive (expressing "possession" or "origin") of Old Latin perpes, "lasting"; probably from per-, "through" + root of petere, "to seek, to go to, to aim at".
perpetual, perpetuity
perpetual (puhr PECH yoo uhl) (adjective)
1. Lasting forever, eternal; serving in a position or office for an indefinite time: The movie had a perpetual sense about it and Ray thought it would never come to an end.
The beloved leader was elected to serve a perpetual term in office.
2. Continuous, blooming through every season: The roses in the sheltered corner of the garden were in perpetual bloom.perpetuity (puhr" pi TOO i tee, puhr" pi TYOO i tee) (noun)
1. The quality or state of lasting forever; an unlimited time; eternity: The monument was to ensure the memory of the heroes would last in perpetuity.
2. Payment of an annuity on an ongoing basis: The grandfather’s will stipulates that the annuity be paid to Stacie's aunt in perpetuity.
2. Payment of an annuity on an ongoing basis: The grandfather’s will stipulates that the annuity be paid to Stacie's aunt in perpetuity.
Josie planted a special rose bush which was described as perpetual; that is, blooming every season. This rose bush was a memorial in perpetuity to her friend's valor during the flood crisis.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group P; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(page 4)
Word Entries containing the term:
“perpetual”
perpetual motion
1. The action of a moving device which requires no input of energy to maintain it, and so it can continue operating indefinitely.
2. In thermodynamics, the unproven theory that when a machine produces work, it can continue to operate for an indefinite time solely by the use of its own energy.
2. In thermodynamics, the unproven theory that when a machine produces work, it can continue to operate for an indefinite time solely by the use of its own energy.
Various supposed perpetual motion machines have been described in the past before a valid understanding of the laws of thermodynamics became accepted.
This entry is located in the following unit:
peti-, pet-, -pit-
(page 3)