aeviternity

From Medieval Latin aeviternitas.

aeviternity (countable and uncountable, plural aeviternities)

1. (philosophy) The midpoint between time and eternity; the mode of being of the angels, saints, and celestial bodies (which mediaeval astronomy believed to be unchanging).
   • 1862, (St. Thomas Aquinas), Summa Theologica - Volume 1, →ISBN, page 78:

     Further, if there is no before and after in aeviternity, it follows that in aeviternal things there is no difference between being, having been, or going to be. Since then it is impossible for aeviternal things not to have been, it follows that it is impossible for them not to be in the future; which is false, since God can reduce them to nothing.

   • 2002, William Ferguson, Jonah Christopher and the Last Chance Mass, →ISBN, page 90:

     “Aeviternity,” the old man said in a matter-of-fact way, shrugging his shoulders. “You were in aeviternity.” Seeing Jonah's puzzled look and knowing that his charge was not one to rest without the answers he sought, he continued, “. . .the realm of the angels and saints. What most people mean when they say eternity is actually aeviternity. You see, eternity is unchanging, without beginning or end. Only God is truly eternal.

   • 2013, Samuel L. Macey, Encyclopedia of Time, →ISBN, page 169:

     At the end of the world after the last judgment, time will cease and we will live like the angels in a state of aeviternity.

• aevum