Eterne

/ɪˈtɜːrn/ adjective

Definition

An archaic or poetic word meaning eternal or lasting forever.

Etymology

From Old French eterne, derived from Latin aeternus meaning 'eternal.' This is an older form of the English word 'eternal,' commonly used in Middle English and Renaissance poetry but largely replaced by the longer 'eternal' in modern usage.

Kelly Says

Shakespeare used 'eterne' in his sonnets because it fits the meter better than 'eternal'—poets often preferred shorter forms, which is why many archaic words like this sound almost magical to modern ears.

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