Emily Dickinson Lexicon

E-TERN'I-TY, n. [L. æternitas.]

1. Duration or continuance without beginning or end. By repeating the idea of any length of duration, with the endless addition of number, we come by the idea of eternity. Locke. The high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity. Is. lvii.
2. The state or time which begins at death. At death we enter on eternity. Dwight. We speak of eternal duration preceding the present time. God has existed from eternity. We also speak of endless or everlasting duration in future, and dating from present time or the present state of things. Some men doubt the eternity of future punishment, though they have less difficulty in admitting the eternity of future rewards.