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perpétuité

perpetuity

noun pehr-peh-tyoo-ee-TEH Rare

Origin: Latin perpetuitas (continuity)

Usage Note

perpétuité is almost exclusively encountered in legal and formal contexts. The phrase à perpétuité (for life, in perpetuity) is the standard expression for a life sentence in French law: condamné à perpétuité. Outside law it can describe any permanent or endless duration.

Examples

"Il a été condamné à perpétuité."

Natural Translation

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Literal Translation

He was condemned to perpetuity.

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