- [uncountable]
time without end, especially life continuing without end after death 永恒；永生；不朽 There will be rich and poor for all eternity. 贫富将永远存在。 They believed that their souls would be condemned to burn in hell for eternity. 他们相信他们的灵魂会受到惩罚，在地狱里永受烈焰焚烧。
Extra ExamplesI will love you for all eternity. 我会永远爱你。 This great work of art is now preserved for eternity. 这件伟大的艺术品现在被永久保存了下来。 This mathematical pattern will repeat itself into eternity. 这种数学模式会不断重复直至永恒。
- an eternity[singular] (informal)
a period of time that seems to be very long or to never end （似乎）无穷无尽的一段时间 After what seemed like an eternity the nurse returned with the results of the test. 过了漫长的一段时间后护士才拿着检验结果回来。
Extra ExamplesTopics Timec1It seemed to take an eternity for us to get to the hospital. 我们似乎花了很长时间才到达医院。 He seemed to stand there for an eternity. 他似乎永远站在那里。
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French eternite, from Latin aeternitas, from aeternus ‘without beginning or end’, from aevum ‘age’.