EPHEMERAL

ephemeral, passing, short-lived, transient, transitory, fugacious

(adjective) lasting a very short time; “the ephemeral joys of childhood”; “a passing fancy”; “youth’s transient beauty”; “love is transitory but it is eternal”; “fugacious blossoms”

ephemeron, ephemeral

(noun) anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

ephemeral (plural ephemerals)

Something which lasts for a short period of time.

Synonym: ephemeron

Adjective

ephemeral (comparative more ephemeral, superlative most ephemeral)

Lasting for a short period of time.

Synonyms: temporary, transitory, fleeting, evanescent, momentary, short-lived, short, volatile, Thesaurus:ephemeral

Antonyms: permanent, eternal, everlasting, timeless

(biology) Existing for only one day, as with some flowers, insects, and diseases.

(geology, of a body of water) Usually dry, but filling with water for brief periods during and after precipitation.

Source: Wiktionary

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E*phem"er*al, a.

1. Beginning and ending in a day; existing only, or no longer than, a day; diurnal; as, an ephemeral flower.

2. Short-lived; existing or continuing for a short time only. "Ephemeral popularity." V. Knox. Sentences not of ephemeral, but of eternal, efficacy. Sir J. Stephen. Ephemeral fly (Zoöl.), one of a group of neuropterous insects, belonging to the genus Ephemera and many allied genera, which live in the adult or winged state only for a short time. The larvæ are aquatic; -- called also day fly and May fly.

E*phem"er*al, n.

Definition: Anything lasting but a day, or a brief time; an ephemeral plant, insect, etc.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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