Trān'sient, a.
(trān'shent), a. [Lat. transiens, p. pr. of transire, transitum, to go or pass over, from trans, across, over, and ire, to go.]
- 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; as, a transient pleasure. “Measured this transient world.” Milton.
- Hasty; momentary; imperfect; as, a transient view of a landscape.
Transient effect (Paint.), a representation of appearances in nature produced by causes which are not stationary, as the shadows cast by a passing cloud. The term accident has often the same signification. Jocelyn. Syn.—TRANSIENT, TRANSITORY, FLEETING. Transient represents a thing as short 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 guest, A vapor fed from wild desire. Pope. Of 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.