Eternal, a.
Etymology: [F. éternel, L. aeternalis, fr. aeternus. See Etern.]
1. Without beginning or end of existence; always existing. The eternal God is thy refuge. Deut. xxxiii. 27. To know wether there were any real being, whose duration has been eternal. Locke.
2. Without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal. That they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Tim. ii. 10.
3. Continued without intermission; perpetual; ceaseless; constant. And fires eternal in thy temple shine. Dryden.
4. Existing at all times without change; immutable. Hobbes believed the eternal truths which he opposed. Dryden. What are the eternal objects of poetry among all nations, and at all times M. Arnold.
2 more senses
5. Exceedingly great or bad; -- used as a strong intensive. "Some eternal villain." The Eternal City, an appellation of Rome.
Syn. -- Everlasting; endless; infinite; ceaseless; perpetual; interminable. See Everlasting.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Eternal, n.
1. One of the appellations of God. Law whereby the Eternal himself doth work. Hooker.
2. That which is endless and immortal. Young.
Shades of meaning
Eternal strictly signifies without beginning or end, in which sense it applies to God alone; everlasting applies to that which may or may not have beginning, but will never cease; eternal is also used in this more limited sense; endless, without end, in its utmost reach, is not distinguishable from everlasting; but endless is constantly used in inferior senses, especially in mechanics, as in the phrases an endless screw, an endless chain. Everlasting and endless are both used in a limited sense of protracted, indefinite, but not infinite duration; as, the everlasting hills; endless debates; so we speak of interminable quarrels. Eternal holds quite strictly to the vast and sacred meaning in which it is applied to the Divine Being and the future state. Everlasting, endless, and eternal may be applied to that which has no life; as, everlasting chains, endless night, eternal death; immortal applies to that which now has life, and is forever exempt from death. Timeless carries, perhaps, the fullest idea of eternal, as above and beyond time, and not to be measured by it.