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Webster 1913 Edition
Immemorial
Imˊme-mo′ri-al
,Adj.
[Pref.
im-
not + memorial
: cf. F. immémorial
.] Extending beyond the reach of memory, record, or tradition; indefinitely ancient;
“Immemorial elms.” as, existing from time
. immemorial
Tennyson.
“Immemorial usage or custom.” Sir M. Hale.
Time immemorial
(Eng. Law.)
, a time antedating (legal) history, and beyond “legal memory” so called; formerly an indefinite time, but in 1276 this time was fixed by statute as the begining of the reign of Richard I. (1189). Proof of unbroken possession or use of any right since that date made it unnecessary to establish the original grant. In 1832 the plan of dating legal memory from a fixed time was abandoned and the principle substituted that rights which had been enjoyed for full twenty years (or as against the crown thirty years) should not be liable to impeachment merely by proving that they had not been enjoyed before.
Webster 1828 Edition
Immemorial
IMMEMO'RIAL
,Adj.
Beyond memory; an epithet given to time or duration, &c., whose beginning is not remembered, or cannot be traced and ascertained; as when it is said a man has possessed an estate in fee from time immemorial, or time out of mind. Such possession constitutes prescription, or prescriptive right. So we speak of immemorial use, custom or practice. In England, a thing is said to be immemorial, when it commenced before the reign of Edward II.
Definition 2024
immemorial
immemorial
See also: immémorial
English
Adjective
immemorial
- (postpositive) That is beyond memory; ancient.
- The rocks had stood overlooking the valley since time immemorial.
- 1895, H. G. Wells, The Time Machine Chapter X
- Now, I still think that for this box of matches to have escaped the wear of time for immemorial years was a strange, and for me, a most fortunate thing.