time immemorial

noun

1. Also called time out of mind. time in the distant past beyond memory or record:

   Those carvings have been there from time immemorial.

2. Law. time beyond legal memory, fixed by statute in England as prior to the beginning of the reign of Richard I (1189).

time immemorial

noun

1. the distant past beyond memory or record
2. law time beyond legal memory, fixed by English statute as before the reign of Richard I (1189)

Word History and Origins

Origin of time immemorial¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Idioms and Phrases

Also, time out of mind . Long ago, beyond memory or recall, as in These ruins have stood here since time immemorial , or His office has been on Madison Avenue for time out of mind . The first expression comes from English law, where it signifies “beyond legal memory,” specifically before the reign of Richard I (1189–1199), fixed as the legal limit for bringing certain kinds of lawsuit. By about 1600 it was broadened to its present sense of “a very long time ago.” The variant, first recorded in 1432, uses mind in the sense of “memory” or “recall.”

Example Sentences

You see, public lands are stolen lands, taken from the Indigenous peoples who have been here since time immemorial and who will continue to be here as stewards of the land.

From Outside Online

Indigenous people were rarely consulted on how protections would impact their well-being or the places they had stewarded since time immemorial, and Indigenous knowledge and practices were rarely integrated into park management.

From Nautilus

As Larkin would no doubt expect, the history of dubious royal parenting steps back to time immemorial.

From The Daily Beast

Ah yes, the threat wielded against the deliberately childless since time immemorial: Conform or you will regret it!

From The Daily Beast

These are the same tactics that management has used since time immemorial.

From The Daily Beast

And we have done so in a ritual that is ageless and tribal from time immemorial.

From The Daily Beast

Because they seem to have done a pretty good job of avoiding this kind of thing since time immemorial.

From The Daily Beast

The tobacco plant seems to have been cultivated in Mexico from time immemorial.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence the apron, which is a Masonic emblem, has from time immemorial been the covering of shame.

From Project Gutenberg

The use of the Santa F trail dates from time immemorial, but for purposes of trade was long precarious.

From Project Gutenberg

Two famous springs at modern Hit, on the Euphrates, have been drawn upon from time immemorial.

From Project Gutenberg

They have consequently, from time immemorial, been inhabited by a dense population.

From Project Gutenberg