perpetual

Definitions

per- (through, all the way through) + petere (to seek, press on) = pressing onward through all time, never stopping. The endless forward motion of petere, stretched across eternity, becomes 'everlasting' — and loosely, 'incessant, going on and on.'

Why It Means This

perpetual carries two shades that learners mix up. In formal/legal use it means literally endless and unchanging — a perpetual lease, perpetual motion. In casual use it's an exaggeration for 'constant and annoying' — her perpetual complaints. Same root image (never stopping), different emotional temperature.

Common Collocations

• 1.perpetual motion永动（机）
• 2.perpetual conflict无休止的冲突
• 3.perpetual state of永远处于…状态
• 4.in perpetual fear终日担惊受怕

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The two countries seemed locked in perpetual conflict.

• 2.

  I'm tired of his perpetual complaints about the weather.

• 3.

  The fund provides a perpetual source of income.