Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin aeternalis, from Latin aeternus eternal, from aevum age, eternity; more at AYE
Pronunciation : i-t&r-n
&l
Function : adjective
Date : 14th century
1. everlasting, without end. eternal\e*ter"nal\, n.
2. one of the appellations of god. law whereby the eternal himself doth work.
3. that which is endless and immortal.eternal \e*ter"nal\ , a. [f. éternel, l. aeternalis, fr. aeternus. see:
etern.].
4. without beginning or end of existence; always existing. the eternal god is thy refuge. xxxiii.
5. to know wether there were any real being, whose duration has been eternal.
6. without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal. that they may also obtain the salvation which is in christ jesus, with eternal glory. ii.
7. 3. continued without intermission; perpetual; ceaseless; constant. and fires eternal in thy temple shine.
8. existing at all times without change; immutable. hobbes believed the eternal truths which he opposed. what are the eternal objects of poetry among all nations, and at all times? arnold.
9. exceedingly great or bad; -- used as a strong intensive. "some eternal villain.".
10. Without beginning or end of existence; always existing.
11. Without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal.
12. Continued without intermission; perpetual; ceaseless; constant.
13. Existing at all times without change; immutable.
14. Exceedingly great or bad; used as a strong intensive.
15. One of the appellations of God.
16. That which is endless and immortal.
17. 1. Something that is eternal lasts for ever. Whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. the quest for eternal youth. + eternally eter·nal·ly She is eternally grateful to her family for their support.
18. If you describe something as eternal, you mean that it seems to last for ever, often because you think it is boring or annoying. In the background was that eternal hum. = interminable, never-ending.