Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Perpetual
Per-pet′u-al
,Adj.
[OE.
perpetuel
, F. perpétuel
, fr. L. perpetualis
, fr. perpetuus
continuing throughout, continuous, fr. perpes
, -etis
, lasting throughout.] Neverceasing; continuing forever or for an unlimited time; unfailing; everlasting; continuous.
Unto the kingdom of
perpetual
night. Shakespeare
Perpetual
feast of nectared sweets. Milton.
Circle of perpetual apparition
, or Circle of perpetual occultation
See under
– Circle
. Perpetual calendar
, a calendar so devised that it may be adjusted for any month or year.
– Perpetual curacy
(Ch. of Eng.)
, a curacy in which all the tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed.
Blackstone.
– Perpetual motion
. See under
– Motion
. Perpetual screw
. See
Endless screw
, under Screw
.
Syn. – Continual; unceasing; endless; everlasting; incessant; constant; eternal. See
Constant
. Webster 1828 Edition
Perpetual
PERPET'UAL
,Adj.
1.
Never ceasing; continuing forever in future time; destined to be eternal; as a perpetual covenant; a perpetual statute.[Literally true with respect to the decrees of the Supreme Being.]
2.
Continuing or continued without intermission; uninterrupted; as a perpetual stream; the perpetual action of the heart and arteries.3.
Permanent; fixed; not temporary; as a perpetual law or edict; perpetual love or amity, perpetual incense. Ex.30.4.
Everlasting; endless. Destructions are come to a perpetual end. Ps.9.
5.
During the legal dispensation. Ex.29.Perpetual curacy, is where all the tithes are appropriated and no vicarage is endowed.
Perpetual motion, motion that generates a power of continuing itself forever or indefinitely, by means of mechanism or some application of the force of gravity; not yet discovered,and probably impossible.
Perpetual screw, a screw that acts against the teeth of a wheel and continues its action without end.