Meaning of perpetuum mobile | Babel Free

Definitions

1. perpetual motion machine, perpetuum mobile (hypothetical contraption capable of remaining in perpetual motion without ever needing any additional energy)
   neuter
2. obsolete letter-case form of perpetuum mobile
   neuter
3. something or someone in constant activity
   figuratively, neuter

Examples

“[…] de Ulykkelige, hvis Forhaabninger ere knyttede til perpetuum mobile’r, de Vises Sten etc.”

[…] the miserable ones, whose hopes are bound up in perpetua mobilia, philosopher's stones etc.

“En Udlænding med et godmodigt, bebrillet, magert Ansigt spadserede frem og tilbage med Hænderne paa Ryggen, iført en kort brun Kaftan og med Traadparyk paa Hovedet; — det var en Matematiker og Kemiker, den berømte Opfinder af Perpetuum mobilet — det evigt drejende Vandhjul — og Kobbermennesket — en Automat, der spillede Dam og kunde afgive Snaps eller Øl som sine naturlige Udtømmelser.”

A foreigner with a benevolent, bespectacled, skinny face strolled back and forth with his hands behind his back, wearing a short brown kaftan and with a thread-wig [???] on his head— it was a mathematician and chemist, the famous inventor of the perpetuum mobile — the eternally-turning waterwheel — and the copper human — an automaton that played checkers and could excrete schnapps or beer as its natural evacuations.

“Den ligner en perpetuum mobile, en evighedsmaskine, […]”

It resembles a perpetuum mobile, a perpetual motion machine, […]

“Samtidig fanger værket to flygtige størrelser som vind og lys, der produceres med et ensartet, genkommende luftpres som en perpetuum mobile, en evighedsmaskine, drevet frem af elektriciteten.”

At the same time, the plant captures two volatile quantities, namely wind and light, which is produced with a constant, recurring air-pressure like a perpetuum mobile, a perpetual motion machine, driven forth by electricity.

“[…] men det forhindrede ham ikke i at opfinde flere perpetuum mobiler, der kørte ved hjælp af magneter.”

[…] but that didn't prevent him from inventing several perpetua mobilia, that ran by way of magnets.

“Idealet var umuligt og derfor ideelt. Jeg ville forsøge at skabe en perpetuum mobile. En evighedsmaskine af organisk væv.”

The ideal was impossible, and therefore ideal. I wanted to attempt to create a perpetuum mobile. A perpetual motion machine out of organic tissue.

“»Det nærmeste menneskeheden er kommet på en perpetuum mobile, Frølich. Et ur, som ligner et almindeligt kaminur, men som er noget heltandet.”

The closest thing mankind has come to a perpetuum mobile, Frølich. A clock, resembling a common hearth-top clock, but something entirely different.

“[…] noget i retning af en perpetuum mobile, hvor forbrugt energi stadig er til rådighed.”

[…] something akin to a perpetuum mobile, where consumed energy is still available.

“Begge [scil. Alexander den Store og Karl 12. af Sverige] vare perpetua mobilia, og ingen af dem kunde blive paa eet Sted.”

Both of them [i.e. Alexander the Great and Charles XII of Sweden] were perpetua mobilia, and neither of them could remain in one place.

“Frem til slutningen, hvor brudeparret siger ja til at blive begravet i hinanden, er bogen en perpetuum mobile til frembringelse af sorte og groteske stemninger.”

Up until the ending, where the bridal couple agree to be buried in one another, the book is a perpetuum mobile for the prodduction of black and grotesque ambiences.

“Fængselspsykiatrien var en perpetuum mobile, frem og tilbage, frem og tilbage.”

Prison psychiatry was a perpetuum mobile, back an forth, back and forth.

CEFR level