/ pəˈpetʃuəl; NAmE pərˈp-/ adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] continuing for a long period of time without interruption
SYN continuous :
the perpetual noise of traffic
We lived for years in a perpetual state of fear.
( literary )
2.
[ usually before noun ] frequently repeated, in a way that is annoying
SYN continual :
How can I work with these perpetual interruptions?
3.
[ only before noun ] ( of a job or position ) lasting for the whole of sb's life :
He was elected perpetual president.
( humorous )
She's a perpetual student.
► per·petu·al·ly / -tʃuəli; NAmE / adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French perpetuel , from Latin perpetualis , from perpetuus continuing throughout, from perpes , perpet- continuous.