- [usually before noun]
continuing for a long period of time without stopping or being interrupted 不间断的；持续的；长久的 the perpetual noise of traffic 持续不断的交通噪声 We lived for years in a perpetual state of fear. 多年来我们一直生活在恐惧中。 - (literary)
mountain peaks covered with perpetual snows and ice 覆盖着永久冰雪的山峰
Extra ExamplesTopics Timec2Government and parliament are in a state of perpetual conflict. 政府和议会处于长期冲突状态。 His life is a perpetual holiday. 他的生活是一个永久的假期。 Lack of time is a perpetual problem for nurses on the ward. 对在病房工作的护士来说，时间不够是个长期问题。 The country seems to be in a perpetual state of chaos. 该国似乎永远都处于混乱的状态。 They exist in a state of perpetual fear. 他们一直生活在恐惧之中。
- [usually before noun]
frequently repeated, in a way that is annoying 一再反复的；无尽无休的；没完没了的 Extra ExamplesThe perpetual interruptions made conversation difficult. 不断的打扰让谈话难以继续下去。 People found her perpetual coarse jokes irritating. 人们觉得她没完没了的粗俗笑话令人恼火。
- [only before noun]
(of a job or position 工作或职位 lasting for the whole of somebody’s life 终身的；永久的
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French perpetuel, from Latin perpetualis, from perpetuus ‘continuing throughout’, from perpes, perpet- ‘continuous’.