sub specie aeternitatis

adverb

sub spe·​cie ae·​ter·​ni·​ta·​tis su̇b-ˈspe-kē-ˌā-ˌī-ˌter-nə-ˈtä-təs How to pronounce sub specie aeternitatis (audio)
: in its essential or universal form or nature

Examples of sub specie aeternitatis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lofty pleasure of viewing things sub specie aeternitatis has blended with the bean-counting calculation of this English tradition to produce a moral system perfectly suited to the outlook of billionaire engineers, known as effective altruism. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022 And no one writes a column sub specie aeternitatis. Luc Sante, The New York Review of Books, 24 Mar. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sub specie aeternitatis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, under the aspect of eternity

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sub specie aeternitatis was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near sub specie aeternitatis

Cite this Entry

“Sub specie aeternitatis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sub%20specie%20aeternitatis. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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