01 a. Without beginning or end of existence; always existing.
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1.
Without beginning or end of existence; always existing.“The eternal God is thy refuge.” — Deut. xxxiii. 27.“To know wether there were any real being, whose duration has been eternal.” — Locke.
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2.
Without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal.“That they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” — 2 Tim. ii. 10.
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3.
Continued without intermission; perpetual; ceaseless; constant.“And fires eternal in thy temple shine.” — Dryden.
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4.
Existing at all times without change; immutable.“Hobbes believed the eternal truths which he opposed.” — Dryden.“What are the eternal objects of poetry among all nations, and at all times?” — M. Arnold.
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5.
Exceedingly great or bad; -- used as a strong intensive.
Phrases & compounds
The Eternal City —
an appellation of Rome.
Syn.
Everlasting; endless; infinite; ceaseless; perpetual; interminable. See Everlasting.