sempiternity
/ˌsɛmpɪˈtɜːnəti/
sempiternity means existence within time but infinitely into the future, as opposed to eternity, understood as existence outside time. It carries an Arena rating of 1485, earned across 4 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, sempiternity ranks #919 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words, #943 of 17,151 for The Improbable, #1,003 of 17,124 for Most Sublime Words, #1,989 of 17,131 for Scariest Words.
sempiternity is pronounced /ˌsɛmpɪˈtɜːnəti/.
Why “sempiternity” is a great word
Sempiternity is existence within time but infinitely into the future, or a seemingly everlasting period of time. From the Latin *sempiternitas*, from *semper* ("always") + *aeternus* ("eternal"). Unlike "eternity," which implies a transcendent realm beyond temporal succession, or "perpetuity," a term bound to ledgers and legal clauses, sempiternity is time's own infinite echo. It is the slow amber hardening of resin across geological ages, the patient erosion of a cliff face grain by grain, and the cold, patient light of stars that have not yet begun to die—the profound truth that forever is a very long journey, not a destination, a duration so vast it becomes its own kind of abyss.
Etymology
From sempitern(al) + -ity, from Latin sempiternitas.
noun
- Existence within time but infinitely into the future, as opposed to eternity, understood as existence outside time.
- Eternity; a seemingly everlasting period of time.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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