in perpetuity
Definition
- Adverb:
- For an indefinitely long time; forever; eternally: The phrase "in perpetuity" means for a duration that lasts without end or for an unlimited, indefinite period. It is a formal legal and financial term indicating that something is granted, established, or continues permanently.
Usage
"In perpetuity" is used in formal contexts, particularly in legal, financial, and official documents, to describe rights, agreements, payments, or conditions that are intended to last forever. It is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation.
Examples
- Adverb:
- The land was bequeathed to the nation in perpetuity. (The land was given to the nation with the condition that it belongs to them forever.)
- The foundation was established to fund the scholarship in perpetuity. (The foundation was created to provide money for the scholarship permanently.)
- They purchased the rights to the film in perpetuity. (They bought the rights to show the film for an unlimited time.)
Advanced Usage
- Legal and Financial Contexts: The term is most common in contracts, wills, trusts, and grants to specify permanent arrangements.
- The easement allows public access across the private property in perpetuity.
- The endowment is designed to generate income in perpetuity.
Variants and Related Words
- Perpetual (adjective): Lasting forever or for a very long time; never ending or changing.
- They signed a perpetual lease on the building.
- Perpetuity (noun): The state or quality of lasting forever. Often used in the phrase "in perpetuity."
- The grant was established in perpetuity.
Synonyms
- Forever
- For good
- Eternally
- For all time
- Permanently
Antonyms
- Temporarily
- For a limited time
- Briefly
Related Phrases
- In perpetuity and beyond: An emphatic, sometimes rhetorical, extension of the core phrase for added emphasis on endless duration.
- The charity vowed to continue its mission in perpetuity and beyond.
Adverb
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for an indefinitely long time
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bequeathed to the nation in perpetuity
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for life
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desire happiness in perpetuity
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an annuity paid in perpetuity
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