pəˈpetʃuəl adj. 1
eternal;
lasting for ever or
indefinitely. 2
continuous,
uninterrupted. 3 colloq.
frequent,
much repeated (perpetual interruptions). 4
permanent during life (perpetual secretary). øperpetual
calendar a calendar
which can be adjusted to
show any combination of
day,
month,
and year. perpetual check
Chess the position of
play when a
draw is obtained by repeated checking of the
king. perpetual
motion the motion of a
hypothetical machine which
once set in motion
would run for ever
unless subject to an
external force or to wear. øøperpetualism n. perpetually adv. [ME f. OF perpetuel f. L perpetualis f. perpetuus f. perpes -etis continuous]