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transitory


tran·si·to·ry

adj \ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtr-ē, ˈtran-zə-\

Definition of TRANSITORY

1
: tending to pass away : not persistent
2
: of brief duration : temporary <the transitory nature of earthly joy>
tran·si·to·ri·ly \ˌtran(t)-sə-ˈtr-ə-lē, ˌtran-zə-\ adverb
tran·si·to·ri·ness \ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtr-ē-nəs, ˈtran-zə-\ noun

Examples of TRANSITORY

  1. the transitory nature of earthly pleasures
  2. <a transitory panic struck me when I realized that we had left the baby in the car>

Origin of TRANSITORY

Middle English transitorie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin transitorius, from Latin, of or allowing passage, from transire
First Known Use: 14th century

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