Definition of: transient

(tran′shənt) adjective
1. Passing before the vision in a brief time; of short duration; brief; hasty.
2. Not permanent; temporary; casual.
3. Obs. Proceeding from one place or object to another; imparted.
—noun One who or that which is transient; specifically, a lodger or boarder who remains for a short time. [<L transiens, -euntis, ppr. of transire <trans- across + ire go]
—tran′sient·ly adverb
—tran′sient·ness noun Synonyms (adjective): brief, ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, flitting, flying, fugitive, momentary, passing, short, temporary, transitory. A thing is transient which in fact is not lasting; a thing is transitory which by its very nature must soon pass away; a thing is temporary which is intended to last or be made use of but a little while; as, a transient joy; this transitory life; a temporary chairman. That which is ephemeral, literally lasting but for a day, is looked upon as at once slight and perishable, and the word carries often a suggestion of contempt; with no solid qualities or worthy achievement a pretender may sometimes gain an ephemeral popularity. That which is fleeting is viewed as in the act of passing swiftly by, and that which is fugitive as eluding attempts to detain it; that which is evanescent is in the act of vanishing even while we gaze, as the hues of the sunset. Antonyms: abiding, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, permanent, perpetual, persistent, undying, unfading.