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Definition of perpetual - 3 dictionary results
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per⋅pet⋅u⋅al

  [per-pech-oo-uhl]
Use perpetual in a Sentence
–adjective
1. continuing or enduring forever; everlasting.
2. lasting an indefinitely long time: perpetual snow.
3. continuing or continued without intermission or interruption; ceaseless: a perpetual stream of visitors all day.
4. blooming almost continuously throughout the season or the year.
–noun
5. a hybrid rose that is perpetual.
6. a perennial plant.
Origin:
1300–50; late ME perpetuall < L perpetuālis permanent, equiv. to perpetu(us) uninterrupted (per- per- + pet-, base of petere to seek, reach for + -uus deverbal adj. suffix) + -ālis -al 1 ; r. ME perpetuel < MF < L as above

Related forms:
per⋅pet⋅u⋅al⋅i⋅ty, per⋅pet⋅u⋅al⋅ness, noun
per⋅pet⋅u⋅al⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. permanent, enduring. See eternal. 3. continuous, incessant, constant, unending, uninterrupted.

Antonyms:
1. temporary. 3. discontinuous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Rolex Oyster Perpetual
View the Next Generation of Rolex Oyster Perpetual Watches.
Rolex.com/OysterPerpetual
Shop Watches at Amazon
Free Shipping On Qualified Orders! Shop for watches at Amazon
Amazon.com/Watches
per·pet·u·al   (pər-pěch'ōō-əl)   
adj.  

  1. Lasting for eternity.

  2. Continuing or lasting for an indefinitely long time.

  3. Instituted to be in effect or have tenure for an unlimited duration: a treaty of perpetual friendship.

  4. Continuing without interruption. See Synonyms at continual.

  5. Flowering throughout the growing season.


[Middle English perpetuel, from Old French, from Latin perpetuālis, from perpetuus, continuous : per-, per- + petere, to go toward; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]
per·pet'u·al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

perpetual 
c.1340, from O.Fr. perpetuel (12c.), from L. perpetualis "universal," in M.L. "permanent," from perpetuus "continuous, universal," from perpetis, gen. of Old L. perpes "lasting," probably from per- "through" + root of petere "to seek, go to, aim at" (see petition). The verb perpetuate is first recorded 1530; perpetuity is from 1406. Perpetual motion is attested from 1593.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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