Word of the Day

: October 17, 2021

perpetuity

noun per-puh-TOO-uh-tee

What It Means

Perpetuity is a state of continuing forever or for a very long time.

// The property will be passed on from generation to generation in perpetuity.  

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perpetuity in Context

"Nearly 120 acres in Bradford County … will be free from development in perpetuity, thanks to a conservation easement acquisition by the North Florida Land Trust." — The Florida Times-Union, 18 Sept. 2021

Did You Know?

Continual existence—that elusive philosophical concept is reflected in perpetuity, which traces to Latin perpetuus, an adjective meaning "continual" or "uninterrupted." The word has specific legal use. It can refer, for example, to an arrangement in a will rendering land forever incapable of being surrendered or transferred (or at least, for a period longer than is set by rules against such arrangements) or to an annuity that is payable forever.