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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