noneternal

Noneternal is an adjective used to describe something that is not eternal; it denotes finiteness, temporality, or mortality, in contrast with entities regarded as eternal or timeless. The form is produced by prefixing non- to eternal, whose sense derives from Latin aeternus. The word is relatively rare in everyday English and appears mainly in philosophical, theological, or literary contexts where authors wish to emphasize the temporary or contingent nature of beings or processes.

In philosophy of time, noneternal may describe a universe or events with a finite duration, having a definite beginning and end. In theology and metaphysics, created beings are described as noneternal in relation to the eternal nature of the divine, to symbolize dependence on a timeless source. In literature, writers may use noneternal to highlight the ephemeral character of human life, social structures, or natural phenomena.

Because noneternal is not a standard technical term with a fixed definition, its precise sense can vary by author. It is often used as a semantic contrast to eternal, perpetual, or timeless concepts, and can be replaced by more common terms such as finite, temporal, mortal, or transient depending on the context.

Related concepts include eternity, eternalism, presentism, finitude, and mortality. The term should not be confused with nonet, a musical ensemble of nine musicians, which is a different word with a separate meaning.