perpetuus Latin · revision 9571

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *peth₂-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [pɛrˈpɛ.tu.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [perˈpɛː.tu.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''perpetuus''' (feminine perpetua, neuter perpetuum, comparative perpetuior, superlative perpetuissimus, adverb perpetuē or perpetuō); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Cato has the comparative ''perpetuior'' and superlative ''perpetuissimus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[per-]] and [[petō]] “to make for, seek” with the suffix ⟨-uus⟩; compare [[perpes]] “continuous”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) De Vaan traces ⟨petō⟩ to [[ine-pro|*pt-(e)y-|t=to fly]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of something lasting.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant continuous in space, unbroken, as in Caesar's ''perpetuae palūdēs'' and Cicero; continuous in time, uninterrupted; of speech or writing, connected, as in Varro; lasting indefinitely, permanent, as in Plautus; lifelong, ''in perpetuum'' “for ever”, as in Pliny; and of rules always valid, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant everlasting, perpetual, continuous.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for continuous in space and in time.^(DMLBS) Through Latin ''perpetuālis'' and Old French ''perpetuel'', [[en|perpetual]] is recorded in the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of continuous speech.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of continuity and validity.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-14th century – English ''perpetual'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Continuous, unbroken.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Uninterrupted; connected.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Lasting, [[m|en|permanent]]; lifelong, ''in perpetuum'' for ever.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Always valid, invariable.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[comperpetuus]]

+ * [[imperpetuus]]

+ * [[perpetuārius]]

+ * [[perpetuitās]]

+ * [[perpetuō]]

+ * [[perpetuum]]

+ * [[perpetuāliter]]

+ * [[perpetuālis]]

+ * [[perpetuē]]

+ * [[perpetuitō]]

+ * [[perpetuābilis]]

+ * [[perpetuātiō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[petō]]

+ * [[perpes]]

+ * [[en|perpetual]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}