Word · Frequency #20485
immemorial
太古的；远古的；无法追忆的
very old; existing or continuing beyond the limits of memory or recorded history
常用于 from time immemorial，表示“自古以来”。
- 1.
long past; beyond the limits of memory or tradition or recorded history
久远的过去；超出记忆、传统或历史记录的范围
久远的过去；超出记忆、传统或历史记录的范围；太古的；远古的；无法追忆的；[法] 无法追溯的；无法记忆的
In use
Farmers have used this watering hole from time immemorial.
The village follows an immemorial custom of welcoming spring.
No one remembers when the old bridge was built; its origins are immemorial.
time immemorial
from time immemorial
固定搭配，意为“自古以来”，多用于正式或文学语体。
People have gathered at this well from time immemorial.
人们自古以来就聚集在这口井旁。
immemorial + noun
immemorial 常用作定语，修饰 custom、tradition、usage 等名词，表示“古老的、久远的”。
The villagers observe an immemorial custom on the winter solstice.
村民们在冬至遵循一项古老的习俗。
Common mistakes
This tradition has been passed down from immemorial.This tradition has been passed down from time immemorial.
immemorial 是形容词，不能单独作介词 from 的宾语；固定搭配是 from time immemorial（自远古以来），必须加上名词 time 构成完整的介词宾语。
She gave us an immemorial smile that I will never forget.She gave us a memorable smile that I will never forget.
immemorial 意为“太古的、无法追忆的”，指久远到超出记忆范围，而不是“难忘的”；表示“令人难忘的”要用 memorable。
The veterans visited the immemorial in the square.The veterans visited the memorial in the square.
immemorial 是形容词，不是名词，不能表示“纪念碑/纪念馆”；表示这一意义的名词是 memorial。二者拼写相近，但词性和词义都不同。
Connections
Collocations
- time immemorial
- 远古时代；无法追忆的年代
- The legend has been passed down since time immemorial.这个传说自远古以来一直流传至今。
- immemorial custom
- 古老的习俗；远古沿袭下来的习惯
- They still practice the immemorial custom of lighting a bonfire on Midsummer Eve.他们仍保留着在仲夏夜燃起篝火的古老习俗。
- immemorial usage
- 自古以来的使用惯例；自古形成的惯例
- The village's right to graze cattle here was established by immemorial usage.这个村庄在这里放牧牛群的权利是由自古以来的使用惯例确立的。
Idioms & figurative uses
- from time immemorial
- 自古以来；自远古以来This tradition has been passed down from time immemorial.这一传统自古以来代代相传。
Synonyms
Learner notes
Memory Tip
im-（不）+ memorial（记忆）→ 超出记忆范围的，即“远古的、无法追忆的”。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：法律文书、历史或文学叙述 通常用于正式或文学语境，多出现在固定搭配 from time immemorial 中，比较常见于书面表达，日常口语很少使用。
Grammar Note
immemorial 通常作定语；常见固定短语 from time immemorial / since time immemorial（自远古以来）。
Pronunciation & Spelling
以 -orial 结尾的词（memorial, tutorial, editorial, territorial, dictatorial, equatorial）与 immemorial 押韵，重音都在 /ɔr/ 并后接 /iəl/。注意形近词：immaterial (/ˌɪməˈtɪriəl/) 读作 /ɪriəl/ 而非 /ɔriəl/；immortal (/ɪˈmɔrtəl/) 以 /təl/ 结尾，都与 immemorial 不押韵。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.