sempiternal
- Lasting or existing forever without beginning or end; eternal and everlasting.
In a sentence
- The philosopher argued that mathematical truths are sempiternal, existing beyond the confines of time or physical reality.
- Poets have long sought sempiternal fame, hoping their words would outlast their mortal lives by centuries.
Usage note. Sempiternal is a more elevated and literary synonym for 'eternal'; it is especially common in theological writing and formal poetry, and its use in casual speech would sound archaic or affected.
Where it comes from
English sempiternal · entered English 15th c.
From Late Latin 'sempiternalis,' derived from 'sempiternus,' a compound of 'semper' (always) and 'aeternus' (eternal). The word entered Middle English in the 15th century via Old French 'sempiternel,' and has been used in theological and literary contexts to denote absolute, boundless eternity.