Continuing without end or stopping, or seeming to last forever. It can also mean happening so often that it feels constant.
From Latin “perpetuus” meaning “continuous, unbroken,” possibly from “per-” (through) + a root meaning “to seek or strive.” It suggests something that goes on through all time.
A ‘perpetual motion machine’—something that runs forever without energy input—is impossible under real physics, but the phrase still fascinates people. We use ‘perpetual’ for both magical-sounding ideas and everyday annoyances, like ‘perpetual homework.’
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