tran"sient*ness

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]