Word of the day : Sempiternal

The word “sempiternal” means something that lasts forever, never ends, or is unchanging. Sempiternal comes from Late Latin “sempiternalis”, which comes from Latin “semper”, meaning “always”, as stated by Merriam-Webster.

This word is different from “eternal”, even though both mean lasting forever. Eternal comes from Latin “aeternalis” and “aevum”, meaning age or eternity. The word “sempiternal” is much less common than “eternal”, but some writers like to use it for a special meaning.

How Sempiternal is used in writing

Famous 19th-century American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson used it in a sentence: “The one thing which we seek with insatiable desire is to forget ourselves, … to lose our sempiternal memory, and to do something without knowing how or why…”, as noted by Merriam-Webster.


Example in modern writing: “But law, and especially the sempiternal distinction between right and wrong, is never predicated on contracts or consent.” —Daniel J. Mahoney, National Review, 20 June 2019.

History of Sempiternal

The first use of sempiternal in English was in the 15th century. According to Etymonline, sempiternal was also used in Middle English as “sempitern” in the late 14th century. The word originally came through Old French “sempiternel” in the 13th century before reaching English, as cited by Etymonline.

Meaning and usage of Sempiternal

Sempiternal literally breaks down as:

• sem- = one or same
• per = through
• -nal = always

Meaning “everlasting, continual, or perpetual.” Related forms of the word include sempiternally (adverb) and sempiternity (noun). Today, sempiternal is mostly used in literature, poetry, or formal writing, rather than everyday speech. Key difference to remember: eternal = never-ending in time, sempiternal = always continuing and unchanging.

How to use word Sempiternal in sentences

1. The love between a parent and child is often described as sempiternal.
2. Nature’s beauty has a sempiternal charm that never fades.
3. The philosopher wrote about the sempiternal truths of life.
4. People often admire sempiternal values like honesty and kindness.
5. The stars in the night sky seem sempiternal, shining forever.

FAQs

Q1. What does sempiternal mean?

Sempiternal means something that lasts forever, never ends, or is unchanging.

Q2. How is sempiternal different from eternal?

Sempiternal means always continuing, while eternal means never-ending in time.