perpetuum mobile

From Latin perpetuum (neutral inflection of perpetuus “perpetual”) + Latin mōbile (neutrum of mōbilis “mobile, moving”), used together as a noun, thus literally meaning “perpetual mover”. Although often said to literally mean “perpetual motion”, the latter in Latin is mōtus perpetuus. A perpetuum mobile is a device that exhibits perpetual motion.

• IPA^(key): /pəːˌpɛtjʊəm ˈməʊbɪleɪ/, /pəːˌpɛtjʊəm ˈməʊbɪli/

perpetuum mobile (plural perpetua mobilia)

1. A perpetual motion machine.
2. (musicology) Pieces of music, or parts of pieces, characterised by a continuous steady stream of notes, usually at a rapid tempo.
3. (musicology) Whole pieces, or large parts of pieces, which are to be played repeatedly, often an indefinite number of times.

• perpetuum mobile on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• “perpetuum mobile, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982, 1989, December 2005, July 2023.

Unadapted borrowing from New Latin perpetuum mōbile, neuter substantive from the Latin adjectives perpetuus (“perpetual”) + mōbilis (“mobile, moving”), having the literal sense “perpetual mover”.

• IPA^(key): [pɛrˈpɛtuʔum ˈmoːbɪlɛ], [pɛrˈpɛːtuʔum ˈmoːbɪlɛ]
• Hyphenation: per‧pe‧tuum mo‧bi‧le

perpetuum mobile n

1. perpetual motion machine, perpetuum mobile (hypothetical contraption capable of remaining in perpetual motion without ever needing any additional energy)

• perpetuum mobile on the Czech Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^cs
• “perpetuum mobile”, in Akademický slovník cizích slov at prirucka.ujc.cas.cz [Academic dictionary of foreign words] (in Czech), 1995
• František Št. Kott (1878–1893) “perpetuum mobile”, in Česko-německý slovník zvláště grammaticko-fraseologický (in Czech), Prague
• “perpetuum mobile”, in Internetová jazyková příručka (in Czech), 2008–2025
• “perpetuum mobile”, in Příruční slovník jazyka českého (in Czech), 1935–1957
• Rejzek, Jiří (2001) “perpetuum mobile”, in Český etymologický slovník [Czech Etymological Dictionary] (in Czech), 1st edition, Voznice: LEDA, →ISBN, page 462
• “perpetuum mobile”, in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého (in Czech), 1960–1971, 1989

• Perpetuum mobile (obsolete)

Unadapted borrowing from New Latin perpetuum mōbile, neuter substantive from the Latin adjectives perpetuus (“perpetual”) + mōbilis (“mobile, moving”), having the literal sense “perpetual mover”.

• IPA^(key): /pʰɛɐ̯ˈpʰeːtˢuɔm ˈmoːpilə/

perpetuum mobile n (singular definite perpetuum mobilet, plural indefinite perpetua mobilia or perpetuum mobile’r or perpetuum mobiler)

1. perpetual motion machine, perpetuum mobile (hypothetical contraption capable of remaining in perpetual motion without ever needing any additional energy)

   Synonym: evighedsmaskine c

   • 1853, Johannes Carsten Hauch, Samlede Romaner og Fortællinger, second edition, volume VI, published 1905, page 273:

     […] de Ulykkelige, hvis Forhaabninger ere knyttede til perpetuum mobile’r, de Vises Sten etc.

     […] the miserable ones, whose hopes are bound up in perpetua mobilia, philosopher's stones etc.

   • 1936, Karina Windfeld-Hansen, Peter den Store bind 2, e-book edition (2017), Lindhardt og Ringhof, translation of Пётр Первый by Алексей Толстой (in Russian), →ISBN, no pagination:

     En Udlænding med et godmodigt, bebrillet, magert Ansigt spadserede frem og tilbage med Hænderne paa Ryggen, iført en kort brun Kaftan og med Traadparyk paa Hovedet; — det var en Matematiker og Kemiker, den berømte Opfinder af Perpetuum mobilet — det evigt drejende Vandhjul — og Kobbermennesket — en Automat, der spillede Dam og kunde afgive Snaps eller Øl som sine naturlige Udtømmelser.

     A foreigner with a benevolent, bespectacled, skinny face strolled back and forth with his hands behind his back, wearing a short brown kaftan and with a thread-wig [???] on his head— it was a mathematician and chemist, the famous inventor of the perpetuum mobile — the eternally-turning waterwheel — and the copper human — an automaton that played checkers and could excrete schnapps or beer as its natural evacuations.

   • 1996, Lars Handesten, Alligevel så elsker vi byen: tolv kapitler af Københavns litteraturhistorie, →ISBN:

     Den ligner en perpetuum mobile, en evighedsmaskine, […]

     It resembles a perpetuum mobile, a perpetual motion machine, […]

   • 2006, Manual til dansk samtidskunst, Gyldendal A/S, →ISBN:

     Samtidig fanger værket to flygtige størrelser som vind og lys, der produceres med et ensartet, genkommende luftpres som en perpetuum mobile, en evighedsmaskine, drevet frem af elektriciteten.

     At the same time, the plant captures two volatile quantities, namely wind and light, which is produced with a constant, recurring air-pressure like a perpetuum mobile, a perpetual motion machine, driven forth by electricity.

   • 2008, Niels Lund, Stålbandagen: roman, Gyldendal A/S, →ISBN, page 84:

     […] men det forhindrede ham ikke i at opfinde flere perpetuum mobiler, der kørte ved hjælp af magneter.

     […] but that didn't prevent him from inventing several perpetua mobilia, that ran by way of magnets.

   • 2011, Jonas Bruun, Drivjagt, Gyldendal A/S, →ISBN:

     Idealet var umuligt og derfor ideelt. Jeg ville forsøge at skabe en perpetuum mobile. En evighedsmaskine af organisk væv.

     The ideal was impossible, and therefore ideal. I wanted to attempt to create a perpetuum mobile. A perpetual motion machine out of organic tissue.

   • 2013, Kjell Ola Dahl, Kvinden i plastic, Modtryk, →ISBN:

     »Det nærmeste menneskeheden er kommet på en perpetuum mobile, Frølich. Et ur, som ligner et almindeligt kaminur, men som er noget heltandet.

     The closest thing mankind has come to a perpetuum mobile, Frølich. A clock, resembling a common hearth-top clock, but something entirely different.

   • 2017, Ole Thyssen, Wilhelm Reich: 1927–1939: Mellem Freud og Marx, Gyldendal A/S, →ISBN:

     […] noget i retning af en perpetuum mobile, hvor forbrugt energi stadig er til rådighed.

     […] something akin to a perpetuum mobile, where consumed energy is still available.

2. (figuratively) something or someone in constant activity
   • 1735, Ludvig Holberg, Dannemarks Riges Historie, volume III, page 551:

     Begge [scil. Alexander den Store og Karl 12. af Sverige] vare perpetua mobilia, og ingen af dem kunde blive paa eet Sted.

     Both of them [i.e. Alexander the Great and Charles XII of Sweden] were perpetua mobilia, and neither of them could remain in one place.

   • 2006, Søren Schou, Dansk litteraturs historie: 1920–1960, Gyldendal A/S, →ISBN, page 574:

     Frem til slutningen, hvor brudeparret siger ja til at blive begravet i hinanden, er bogen en perpetuum mobile til frembringelse af sorte og groteske stemninger.

     Up until the ending, where the bridal couple agree to be buried in one another, the book is a perpetuum mobile for the prodduction of black and grotesque ambiences.

   • 2015, Anne Holt, Blind gudinde, Gyldendal A/S, →ISBN:

     Fængselspsykiatrien var en perpetuum mobile, frem og tilbage, frem og tilbage.

     Prison psychiatry was a perpetuum mobile, back an forth, back and forth.

• “perpetuum mobile” in Den Danske Ordbog
• “Perpetuum mobile” in Ordbog over det danske Sprog

• IPA^(key): /pɛrˈpeːtu.um ˈmoːbileː/
• (nonstandard) IPA^(key): /pɛrˈpeːtyu̯m ˈmoːbileː/

• Audio:

  (file)

perpetuum mobile n (plural perpetua mobilia or perpetuum mobile’s)

1. alternative spelling of perpetuüm mobile

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): [pɛrˈpɛ.tu.ũː ˈmoː.bɪ.ɫɛ]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): [perˈpɛː.t̪u.um ˈmɔː.bi.le]

perpetuum mōbile n (genitive perpetuī mōbilis); variously declined, second declension, third declension

1. (metaphysics) a being capable of perpetual motion
   • 1523, Ἀριστοτέλης Σταγειρίτης [Aristoteles Stagirites], translated by Nicholas Leonicus Thomæus, Parva Naturalia, Venetiæ: Bernardinus & Matthæus de Vitalibus, De Animalium motione, fol. cxxxviiʳ:

     Quoniam uero in anima omnia ab aliis mouẽtur/‌Nam de primo quidem & perpetuo mobili/‌quo nã moueatur modo/‌quoúe pacto moueat primum mouens/‌in primis philoſophię cõmentariis determinatum eſt prius.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 1570 May 15th, Philippus Marbachius, Theſes phyſicæ de mutationibus et motu, Argentoratum: Iosias Rihelius, thesis LX.:

     Hi vel tam durationis reſpectu quam eſſentiæ perpetui: vt mentes cœleſtes: vel caduci, ideoq́; ipſorum non perpetua mobilia.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 1587, Fortunatus Crellius, In octo acroamaticos Ariſtotelis libros Commentarij, Neostadium in Palatinatu: Matthæus Harnisch, book VIII, chapter x, § 83, page 416/1:

     Sic autem ratiocinatur: Vnus perpetuò in natura motus eſt: ergo vnum perpetuum mobile, vnumque ſempiternum mouens antecedens ibi, hic autem vnus est: conſequens ibi, ſed obſcurè & breuiter continetur vtique id quod mouet, ſi vnum est, hoc eſt, ergo quod mouet, vnum eſt, itidemque id quod mouetur.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 1619, Henricus Nollius, Naturæ Sanctuarium: quod eſt, Phyſica Hermetica, Francofurtum: printed by Nicolaus Hoffmannus for Jonas Rosa, book I, chapter iv, § 1, pages 106–107:

     Etsi de modo, quo Entia è Chao orta fuerint, in Phyſicis haud tractandum eſſe videatur, quia plane diuinus eſt, & Naturæ regulam longe ſuperat, tamen mihi non inconueniens viſum fuit, aliquid de modo eo proponere & explicare: & quia modus ille ex primo capite Geneſeos nobis patet, & quia Hermetis filii eum in productione perpetui mobilis ex diuino indultu auxilioque optime imitari didicerunt.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 1697, Johannes Christophorus Sturmius, Phyſica electiva ſive hypothetica, volume I, Norimberga: Wolfgangus Mauritius Endterus, Index rerum inſignium quæ in Tomo I. continentur, s.v. DEUS:

     Perpetuorum mobilium exempla innumera mundus hic corporeus oſtentat, tanquam teſtes Auctoris ſapientiſſimi 190.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

2. a perpetual motion machine
   • 1731, Fridericus Hoffmannus, Diſſertatio Medica de verâ perpetui mobilis in homine vivo ideâ, in Operum omnium phyſico-medicorum ſupplementum in duas partes diſtributum, pars secunda, Geneva: Fratres de Tournes, published 1749, §. viii., page 199/1:

     Cumque hoc ipſum perpetuum mobile Mechanicum noſtra ætate a quibuſdam pro ſuperato habeatur, imprimis quum ſatis notum ſit, quoſnam motus perpetuum mobile Orfyrei excitaverit, qui ſibi ejus inventionem non ſine multorum plauſibus tribuit: Hinc ſingulas Machinas unquam pro perpetuis mobilibus celebratis & venditis percurrit, perpetuum mobile nimirum Baſileenſe, cujus Autor Jeremias Mitz Baſileæ, Perpetuum Mobile per globulos in loculamentis rotitantes, Perpetuum Mobile a Scheinero circa terræ centrum effictum, horumque ſingulorum impoſſibilitatem, quod nil minus & quidvis aliud potius ſint, quam perpetua mobilia demonſtrat; tandem etiam perpetuum mobile Orfyreanum ex deſcriptione ejus propria æſtimatum impoſſibile eſſe addit, duplici ſubducta demonſtratione.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Second-declension noun (neuter) with a third-declension noun (neuter, pure i-stem).

• → Czech: perpetuum mobile
• → Danish: perpetuum mobile
• → Dutch: perpetuüm mobile
• → English: perpetuum mobile
• → German: Perpetuum mobile
• → Polish: perpetuum mobile
• → Romanian: perpetuum mobile

• perpetuum mobile on the Latin Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^la

Unadapted borrowing from Latin perpetuum mōbile.

• IPA^(key): /pɛrˈpɛ.tu.um ˈmɔ.bi.lɛ/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Syllabification: per‧pe‧tu‧um mo‧bi‧le

perpetuum mobile n (indeclinable)

1. (physics) perpetual motion machine (hypothetical contraption capable of remaining in perpetual motion without needing any additional energy ever)
2. (music) perpetuum mobile (whole pieces, or large parts of pieces, which are to be played repeatedly, often an indefinite number of times)

• perpetuum mobile in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• perpetuum mobile in Polish dictionaries at PWN

Unadapted borrowing from New Latin perpetuum mōbile, neuter substantive from the Latin adjectives perpetuus (“perpetual”) + mōbilis (“mobile, moving”), having the literal sense “perpetual mover”.

• IPA^(key): /perˈpe.tu.um ˈmo.bi.le/

perpetuum mobile n (plural perpetuum mobile)

1. perpetual motion machine
   • 1981, Mihail Grămescu, “Frumoasa muzică”, in Aporisticon: Glosar de civilizații imaginare (Seniorii Imaginației Integrala Science Fiction și Fantasy), Eagle Publishing House, published 2012, →ISBN, no pagination:

     M-am ocupat la început de problemele Pietrei filosophale și Perpetuumului mobile, probleme bine răsplătite de Putere și promițătoare.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 2019, Ciprian Șiulea, Patrick Melrose: Nu contează • Vești rele, București: Carte Pentru Toți, translation of Patrick Melrose: Never Mind • Bad News by Edward St Aubyn (in English), →ISBN, chapter 7, no pagination:

     Eric cel Indignat (cu subînțeles): „Ah, ce tipic pentru tine, când te confrunți cu o problemă: ia și mai multă heroină. Practic, e perpetuumul mobile suprem.“

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

• perpetuum mobile on the Romanian Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^ro
• “perpetuum mobile”, in DEX online—Dicționare ale limbii române (Dictionaries of the Romanian language) (in Romanian), 2004–2025
• perpetuum mobile in Academia Română, Micul dicționar academic, ediția a II-a, Bucharest: Univers Enciclopedic, 2010. →ISBN