Definitions for: Transient


[n] (physics) a short-lived oscillation in a system caused by a sudden change of voltage or current or load
[n] one who stays for only a short time; "transient laborers"
[adj] (philosophy) of a mental act; causing effects outside the mind
[adj] enduring a very short time; "the ephemeral joys of childhood"; "a passing fancy"; "youth's transient beauty"; "love is transitory but at is eternal"; "fugacious blossoms"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

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.

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.


Tran"sient, n.
That which remains but for a brief time. --Glanvill.

Synonyms: ephemeral, fugacious, impermanent, passing, short-lived, temporary, transeunt, transitory

Antonyms: immanent, subjective

See Also: oscillation, traveler, traveller, vibration

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