transient Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun one who stays for only a short time
- transient laborers
noun (physics) a short-lived oscillation in a system caused by a sudden change of voltage or current or load
adjective of a mental act; causing effects outside the mind
transeunt.
adjective satellite lasting a very short time
short-lived; ephemeral; transitory; fugacious; passing.
- the ephemeral joys of childhood
- a passing fancy
- youth's transient beauty
- love is transitory but it is eternal
- fugacious blossoms

L. transiens, -entis, p. pr. of transire, transitum, to go or pass over. See Trance.

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.
Hasty; momentary; imperfect; brief; as, a transient view of a landscape.
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.