eternal
/ɪˈtɜːnəl/adjective
1- lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning永恒的, 永久的; 永存的, 不灭的：
the secret of eternal youth
永葆青春的秘诀
fear of eternal damnation.
对遗臭万年的恐惧。
1.1
- (of truths, values, or questions) valid for all time; essentially unchanging（真理, 价值, 问题）永恒的; 永远不变的：
eternal truths of art and life.
艺术和生活的永恒真理。
1.2
- informal seeming to last or persist forever, especially on account of being tedious or annoying〈非正式〉（尤指因冗长乏味或恼人而）似无休止的, 不停的：
eternal nagging demands
牢骚不断的无休止的要求
she is an eternal optimist.
她是个执着的乐天派。
1.3
- used to emphasize expressions of admiration, gratitude, or other feelings［用于强调表达钦佩、感激或其他情感］永远：
to his eternal credit, he maintained his dignity throughout.
值得永远称道的是, 他自始至终维护自己的尊严。
1.4
the Eternal
used to refer to an everlasting or universal spirit, as represented by God上帝。
短语
the Eternal City
- a name for the city of Rome不朽城（罗马的别称）。
eternal triangle
- a relationship between three people, typically a couple and the lover of one of them, involving sexual rivalry三角恋, 三角争风。
派生词
eternality
/ɪˌtɜːˈnælətɪ/ nouneternalize
（亦作-ise）verbeternally
adverbeternalness
noun词源
late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin aeternalis， from Latin aeternus, from aevum 'age'.