eternal
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++e·ter·nal /ɪˈtɜːnəl $ -ɜːr-/ ●●○ adjective 1 ALWAYS/FOREVERcontinuing for ever and having no end 永远的；永恒的 the Christian promise of eternal life 基督教承诺的永生 She’s an eternal optimist (=she always expects that good things will happen). 她永远是个乐观主义者。► see thesaurus at permanent2 LONG TIMEseeming to continue for ever, especially because of being boring or annoying 似乎无休止的；没完没了的 SYN never-ending the eternal arguments between mother and son 母子间没完没了的争吵3. eternal truths TRUEprinciples that are always true 永恒的真理
Examples from the Corpus
eternal• Their sharp, shuddery relevance to our own eternal conflicts shows clear.• Night after night, Manson was aware of his eternal hunger.• Church members express a belief in eternal life after death.• The possibility of eternal life is a principle belief of many religions.• They could only have believed that tanks had eternal lives.• The eternal quest for immortality will be in vain until we know the answer - unfortunately, we don't.• Even eternal salvation has become something sold in the marketplace.• Many of these leave a very big question mark as to their eternal significance.• The conflict between mind and machine might be resolved at last in the eternal truce of complete symbiosis...• Yet, surely, the eternal verities of any game still apply.• Making the right choices, like protecting freedom, demands eternal vigilance.• people searching for eternal youth• the search for eternal youthOrigin eternal (1300-1400) Old French Latin aeternus “eternal”e·ter·nal adjectiveChineseSyllable
continuing ever Corpus end and for having no
eternal
e‧ter‧nal /ɪˈtɜːnəl $ -ɜːr-/
adjective
the Christian promise of eternal life
She’s an eternal optimist (=she always expects that good things will happen).
2. seeming to continue for ever, especially because of being boring or annoying
SYN never-ending:
the eternal arguments between mother and son
3. eternal truths principles that are always true
▪ permanent continuing forever, for a very long time, or for the rest of your life: She has permanent damage to her eyesight. | the search for a permanent solution to the problem | They’ve offered her the job on a permanent basis.
▪lasting continuing for a very long time – used especially when something continues to affect someone or something for a long time: The experience left a lasting impression on him. | Things that happen in early childhood can have a lasting effect on your life. | Shelley was to have a lasting influence on him. | Is there any hope for a lasting peace in the Middle East?
▪never-ending continuing so long that you think it will never end – used especially when something needs a lot of effort: Keeping the house clean is a never-ending battle. | It was a never-ending task. | The search was never-ending.
▪perpetual a perpetual state or feeling seems to be there all the time – used especially about something that is very annoying, worrying, or tiring: For many working mothers, balancing the demands of children and job is a perpetual challenge. | The people live in a perpetual state of fear.
▪everlasting continuing forever – used especially in the following phrases: Gold is the symbol of everlasting love. | He promised them everlasting life.
▪eternal continuing forever – used especially in the following phrases: Do you believe in eternal life? | the secret of eternal youth | She has my eternal gratitude (=I will always be grateful to her). | You’re always the eternal optimist. (=you always think that good things will happen)
e‧ter‧nal /ɪˈtɜːnəl $ -ɜːr-/
adjective Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin aeternus 'eternal'
1. continuing for ever and having no end:Language: Old French
Origin: Latin aeternus 'eternal'
2. seeming to continue for ever, especially because of being boring or annoying
SYN never-ending:
3. eternal truths principles that are always true
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