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

But the film, which hit theaters this Friday, is an attempt to upend many of the narrative tropes that have defined stories about disfigured and disabled people since time immemorial.

From Salon

“We follow the Santa Ana river, so this goes back to time immemorial that we’ve been aware of this sacred ceremonial space.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This is a down payment on the state’s commitment to do better by the Native American communities who have called this land home since time immemorial,” Newsom said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

So being allowed to live on federally designated land — in a region where they had been nature’s proud stewards since time immemorial — represented a bittersweet milestone.

From Los Angeles Times

“Expanding the monument helps protect lands of cultural importance to my people, who are part of this nation’s history and who have cared for these lands since time immemorial,” said Rudy Ortega Jr., president of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, in a statement heralding the announcement.

From Los Angeles Times