English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English perpetuelly; equivalent to perpetual +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation edit

Adverb edit

perpetually (comparative more perpetually, superlative most perpetually)

  1. Seeming to never end; endlessly; constantly.
    • [1502], Chronycle of Englonde[1], [London]: [Wynkyn de Worde], →OCLC:
      For whiche offence oure holy fader the pope enioyned hym to make hym to be prayed for perpetually / ⁊ lyke as he had done too be taken frome hym his naturall lyfe therfore he ſholde do foũde four tapers to brẽne perpetually about his body yͭ for yͤ extynccõn of his bodely lyf his ſoule may euer be remẽbred ⁊ lyf in heuẽ in ſpyrytuall lyfe
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “A First Disappointment”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. [], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, [], →OCLC, pages 268–269:
      Now her work dropped on her knee, and her book fell from her hand; she was perpetually seeking excuses for change of place; and the change brought added discomfort.

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