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.
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 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.