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The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section P and Q · Project Gutenberg — chapter 202 of 752 · ~458 words · public domain

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Milton.

Circle of perpetual apparition, or occultation. See under Circle. -- Perpetual calendar, a calendar so devised that it may be adjusted for any month or year. -- Perpetual curacy (Ch. of Eng.), a curacy in which all the tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed. Blackstone. -- Perpetual motion. See under Motion. -- Perpetual screw. See Endless screw, under Screw.

Syn. -- Continual; unceasing; endless; everlasting; incessant; constant; eternal. See Constant.

Per*pet"u*al*ly, adv. In a perpetual manner; constantly; continually.

The Bible and Common Prayer Book in the vulgar tongue, being perpetually read in churches, have proved a kind of standard for language.

Swift.

Per*pet"u*al*ty (?), n. The state or condition of being perpetual. [Obs.] Testament of Love.

Per*pet"u*ance (?), n. Perpetuity. [Obs.]

Per*pet"u*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perpetuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perpetuating.] [L. perpetuatus, p. p. of perpetuare to perpetuate. See Perpetual.] To make perpetual; to cause to endure, or to be continued, indefinitely; to preserve from extinction or oblivion; to eternize. Addison. Burke.

Per*pet"u*ate (?), a. [L. perpetuatus, p. p.] Made perpetual; perpetuated. [R.] Southey.

Per*pet`u*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. perpÈtuation.] The act of making perpetual, or of preserving from extinction through an endless existence, or for an indefinite period of time; continuance. Sir T. Browne.

Per`pe*tu"i*ty (?), n. [L. perpetuitas: cf. F. perpÈtuitÈ.] 1. The quality or state of being perpetual; as, the perpetuity of laws. Bacon.

A path to perpetuity of fame.

Byron.

The perpetuity of single emotion is insanity.

I. Taylor.

2. Something that is perpetual. South.

3. Endless time. "And yet we should, for perpetuity, go hence in debt." Shak.

4. (Annuities) (a) The number of years in which the simple interest of any sum becomes equal to the principal. (b) The number of years' purchase to be given for an annuity to continue forever. (c) A perpetual annuity.

5. (Law) (a) Duration without limitations as to time. (b) The quality or condition of an estate by which it becomes inalienable, either perpetually or for a very long period; also, the estate itself so modified or perpetuated.

Per*plex" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perplexed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perplexing.] [L. perplexari. See Perplex, a.] 1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts.

No artful wildness to perplex the scene.

Pope.

What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view.

Locke.

2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety. "Perplexd beyond self-explication." Shak.

We are perplexed, but not in despair.

2 Cor. iv. 8.

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