Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English <
Late Latin aeternālis, equivalent to
aetern(
us) (
see eterne) +
-ālis -al1 Related formse·ter·nal·ly, adverb
non·e·ter·nal, adjective
non·e·ter·nal·ly, adverb
non·e·ter·nal·ness, noun
EXPANDpre·e·ter·nal, adjective
qua·si-e·ter·nal, adjective
qua·si-e·ter·nal·ly, adverb
COLLAPSESynonyms
1. permanent, unending. Eternal, endless, everlasting, perpetual imply lasting or going on without ceasing. That which is eternal is, by its nature, without beginning or end: God, the eternal Father. That which is endless never stops but goes on continuously as if in a circle: an endless succession of years. That which is everlasting will endure through all future time: a promise of everlasting life. Perpeptual implies continuous renewal as far into the future as one can foresee: perpetual strife between nations. 3. timeless, immortal, deathless, undying, imperishable, indestructible.
Antonyms
1. transitory. 3. mutable.