01 a. Passing before the sight or perception, or, as it were, moving over or across a space or scene viewed, and then disappearing; hence, of sho…
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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.
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2.
Hasty; momentary; imperfect; brief; as, a transient view of a landscape.
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3.
Staying for a short time; not regular or permanent; as, a transient guest; transient boarders.[Colloq. U. S.]“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.
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.