eternal Copy link Outline 1. aeternus (strictly, without beginning or end of time)2. sempĭternus (lasting for ever, never coming to an end)3. perpĕtuus • eternal: 1. aeternus (strictly, without beginning or end of time): nothing that hath had an origin can be e., [nihil] quod ortum sit ae. esse potest, Cic. N. D. 1, 8, 20: blessed and e. (of God), beatus et ae., Cic. Also in laxer sense, without end (rhetorically): to set before any one e. suffering, ae. aerumnam alicui proponere, Cic. in Sen. 14, 34: the e. city, ae. urbs, Tib. 2. sempĭternus (lasting for ever, never coming to an end): to deny that any thing is e., negare quidquam esse ae., Cic. N. D. 1, 12, 29: v. everlasting. 3. perpĕtuus: v. perpetual.