Per-pĕt'ū-al, a.

a. [Fr. perpétuel, Pr. & O. Sp. perpetual, It. perpetuale, Lat. perpetuālis, from perpetuus, continuing throughout, continuous; from prefix per, through, and petere, to fall upon, to go or repair to. Cf. Lat. perpes, perpetis, lasting throughout, also from prefix per and petere.] Never ceasing; continuing indefinitely or infinitely; unending; not subject to, or suffering, cessation or interruption; everlasting; enduring; incessant. “The kingdom of perpetual night.” Shak. “Perpetual feast of nectared sweets.” Milton.

Destructions are come to a perpetual end. Ps. ix. 6.

Perpetual curacy, a curacy in which all the tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed. Blackstone. — Perpetual motion. See MOTION.—Perpetual screw, a screw that acts against the teeth of a wheel, and continues its action without end.

Synonyms—Constant; never-ceasing; endless; eternal; everlasting; never-failing; perennial; continual; continuous; lasting; incessant; unceasing. See CONSTANT.