perpetuity

Everyday

1. (formal, law) Lasting for ever or for an endless time; mostly in the phrase «in perpetuity» (for ever). tree →
2. (money) A payment that goes on for ever. tree →

In the lessons

In law, money and adult life, papers say land, a grave or a right is given «in perpetuity», meaning it can never end. In stories it sounds grand and serious. Phrases: «in perpetuity», «for perpetuity».

Examples

• The land was given to the town in perpetuity. tree →
• The grave is kept in perpetuity. tree →
• The charity owns the park in perpetuity. tree →
• The rights to the song belong to her in perpetuity. tree →
• They promised to protect the forest in perpetuity. tree →
• A perpetuity pays the same amount every year, for ever. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Very formal; in everyday speech say «for ever». Pronounced per-pe-TYOO-i-tee. Related: perpetual (never-ending), perpetuate (make something continue).

In Jewish tradition

In Leviticus 25:23 the land cannot be sold forever, because it really belongs to God.

Interpretation. This is the law of the Jubilee: land returns to its original family every fiftieth year. Tradition reads it as teaching that people are only "strangers and settlers" before God.

Examples

• And the land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is Mine; for ye are strangers and settlers with Me. (Torah LEV.25.23, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable. Very formal; in everyday speech say «for ever». Pronounced per-pe-TYOO-i-tee. Related: perpetual (never-ending), perpetuate (make something continue).