successive generations; for generations
Formal, somewhat literary term used to describe something continuing over many generations. Often appears in historical or ceremonial contexts.
That family has produced scholars for successive generations.
累世の功績が認められ、叙勲された。
Their achievements over many generations were recognized, and they were decorated.
Compound of 累 (accumulate, successive) and 世 (generation, world). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows standard Sino-Japanese word formation patterns.