Definition of "perpetuity" []

• The quality or condition of being perpetual: "The perpetuity of the Church was an article of faith” ( Morris L. West). (noun)
• Time without end; eternity. (noun)
• Law The condition of an estate that is limited so as to be inalienable either perpetually or longer than the period determined by law. (noun)
• Law An estate so limited. (noun)
• An annuity payable indefinitely. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The Democrat will also argue that keeping U.S. troops there in perpetuity is (a) way too expensive, given our economic troubles, (b) too taxing for our forces and (c) a diversion from the real war in Afghanistan, where perhaps another division of U.S. troops will be needed."
• "They must be living in a state of perpetual — short term perpetuity — nightmare."
• "Under international maritime law, a naval vessel remains the property of its sovereign government in perpetuity, meaning that Paris could at the very least stake a strong claim to ownership of La Vierge, which was owned by a state monopoly, and everything she was carrying."