Aevum

/ˈiːvəm/ noun

Definition

An indefinitely long period of time or age; eternity or a long duration of existence.

Etymology

From Latin aevum meaning 'age' or 'lifetime,' derived from Proto-Indo-European *aiw- meaning 'vital force' or 'long life.' The term was used in medieval theology to describe eternal time.

Kelly Says

Medieval theologians used 'aevum' to describe a special kind of time—not quite eternal like God's, but not mortal like ours. It's the time that angels live in, forever young but not infinitely old. It's a fascinating concept that shows how philosophers invented new words when they needed to describe things that didn't quite fit reality.

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