- Transient
- Transient Tran"sient, a. [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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hasty; momentary; imperfect; brief; as, a transient view of a landscape. [1913 Webster]
3. Staying for a short time; not regular or permanent; as, a transient guest; transient boarders. [Colloq. U. S.] [1913 Webster]
Syn: {Transient}, {Transitory}, {Fleeting}.
Usage: 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. [1913 Webster]
What is loose love? A transient gust. --Pope [1913 Webster]
If [we love] transitory things, which soon decay, Age must be loveliest at the latest day. --Donne. [1913 Webster]
O fleeting joys Of Paradise, dear bought with lasting woes. --Milton. [1913 Webster] -- {Tran"sient*ly}, adv. -- {Tran"sient*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.