Category:Transient

Tran"sient, a. Etym: [l. transiens, -entis, p. pr. of transire, Transitum, to go or pass over. See trance.]

1. Passing before the sight or perception, or, as it were, moving Over or across a space or scene viewed, and then disappearing; hence, Of short duration; not permanent; not lasting or durable; not Stationary; passing; fleeting; brief; transitory; as, transient Pleasure. "measured this transient world." Milton.

2. Hasty; momentary; imperfect; brief; as, a transient view of a Landscape.

3. Staying for a short time; not regular or permanent; as, a Transient guest; transient boarders. [colloq. U.s.]

Syn. -- transient, transitory, fleeting. Transient represents a thing as Brief at the best; transitory, as liable at any moment to pass away. Fleeting goes further, and represents it as in the act of taking its Flight. Life is transient; its joys are transitory; its hours are Fleeting. What is loose love a transient gust. Pope If [we love] transitory things, which soon decay, age must be Loveliest at the latest day. Donne. O fleeting joys of paradise, dear bought with lasting woes. Milton. -- tran"sient*ly, adv. -- tran"sient*ness, n.

Transient Tran"sient, n.

Defn: that which remains but for a brief time. Glanvill.