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Eternity Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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eternity

[ɪˈtɜːrnəti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

concept of endless time

Eternity is the concept of infinite or endless time, often seen as a state that is beyond time and space.

Synonyms

infinity, perpetuity, timelessness.

Examples of usage

  • Eternity is a difficult concept for human minds to grasp.
  • She gazed at the stars, contemplating the vastness of eternity.
  • The idea of eternity has intrigued philosophers and theologians for centuries.
Context #2 | Noun

time without end

Eternity can also refer to a period of time that has no end, such as life after death or the afterlife.

Synonyms

endlessness, forever, infinity.

Examples of usage

  • Many religions believe in an eternity spent in heaven or hell.
  • The concept of eternity raises questions about the nature of existence.
  • Time seems to stand still in the eternity of the afterlife.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Philosophers often debate the nature of time, with some arguing that time is cyclical, while others see it as linear, influencing how we think about eternity.
  • Eternity challenges our understanding of time and existence, prompting deep questions about life beyond death.
  • In some philosophical views, an 'eternal now' suggests that all moments exist simultaneously.

Religion

  • Many religions teach that eternity is a key attribute of the divine or the afterlife, where souls dwell forever.
  • In Christianity, eternity is often described as life after death, in heaven or hell, indicating moral consequences for actions on Earth.
  • Buddhism refers to the cycle of birth and rebirth, where breaking free from this cycle leads to a state of eternal peace.

Literature

  • Poets frequently explore the theme of eternity to reflect on love, loss, and the passage of time.
  • Works like Shakespeare's sonnets often touch upon the desire for eternal remembrance through art and poetry.
  • Several novels address the search for meaning in a seemingly eternal life or the implications of immortality.

Science

  • In cosmology, eternity raises discussions about the universe's potential infinite nature and whether time itself is eternal.
  • Physics theorizes the concept of endless time related to the fate of the universe, leading to interpretations of an eternal cosmos.
  • Entropy, a scientific principle, suggests that while individual events may be finite, the universe itself may exist as an eternal system.

Origin of 'eternity'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Eternity' comes from the Latin word 'aeternitas', which means endless time.
  • Other languages, like Spanish ('eternidad') and French ('éternité'), derived their words for eternity from the same Latin roots.
  • The concept has been used in many languages and cultures to describe something unending.

The word 'eternity' originated from the Latin word 'aeternitas', which means 'endlessness' or 'infinity'. It has been used in various religious and philosophical contexts to describe the concept of endless time or existence beyond the physical realm.

See also: eternally, eternals.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,976 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.