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.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Tran"sient, n.
That which remains but for a brief time.
Glanvill.
© Webster 1913.