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I'm looking for a single word that expresses the fact that something lasts through the passing of years, decades, centuries.

What would be a word that describes the art of lasting?

From my mother language, "persistence" is what Google Translate comes up with, but I am dissatisfied.

Current contenders:

  • Perenniality (from perennial)

    lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring

  • perdurability (from perdurable)

    very durable; permanent; imperishable.

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  • It might be helpful if you added a sentence where this noun could be used.
    – user66974
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 8:32

5 Answers 5

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Permanence is the characteristic of lasting indefinitely or without changing.

Imperishability is the characteristic of enduring forever.

Durability is the resilience or robustness that enables something to last for a long time.

(Links to definitions at Oxforddictionaries.com)

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Endurance conveys the concept you are describing:

  • lasting quality; duration.

enduring :

  • Lasting; continuing; durable: a novel of enduring interest.

( from TFD)

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  • I think endurance also implies that there are negative factors all around, doesn't it?
    – user85190
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 8:05
  • It suggests that something lasts despite the pros and cons.
    – user66974
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 8:09
  • Is there maybe a word that does not imply the presence of negative factors?
    – user85190
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 8:10
  • Why do you think "endurance" implies negative factors?
    – brasshat
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 8:13
  • You are asking for 'the art of lasting', and that implies the ability to survive in any (favourable or unfavourable )situation.
    – user66974
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 8:16
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How about abides? As in "People come and go but the earth abides." See Websters: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abides

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    what does abide mean? Pls add relevant reference to tour answer!!
    – user66974
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 8:20
  • Try websters? merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abides
    – infowanna
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 11:46
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    You should edit that into your answer instead of posting it as a comment.
    – Ronan
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 13:00
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everlasting

adjective: 1.lasting forever or for a very long time.

synonyms:eternal, endless, never-ending, perpetual, undying, abiding, enduring, infinite, boundless, timeless. antonyms: transient, occasional.

noun:

1.the everlasting; plural noun: everlastings; noun: everlasting flower; plural noun: everlasting flowers

2.literary: eternity. 3.a flower of the daisy family with a papery texture, retaining its shape and color after being dried, especially a helichrysum.

please see: everlasting (TFD)

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  • is there a noun form of this?
    – user85190
    Commented Feb 4, 2015 at 10:11
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Somewhat surprisingly, eternality ("the quality or state of being eternal") turns out to be a recognized word; the OED records it in use as early as the 15th century, and I believe that it would be readily understood by most people, in addition to being evocative enough to make an impression.

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