tran|sient

tran|sient «TRAN shuhnt», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. passing quickly or soon; not lasting; fleeting: »

Joy and sorrow are often transient.

SYNONYM(S): transitory, evanescent, momentary, ephemeral. See syn. under temporary. (Cf. ↑temporary)

2. a) passing through and not staying long: »

a transient guest in a hotel.

b) U.S. serving transient guests or customers: »

a transient hotel.

3. Music. introduced in passing but not necessary to the harmony: »

a transient modulation.

4. = transeunt. (Cf. ↑transeunt)

–n.

1. a visitor, boarder, customer, or student, who stays for a short time or a customer who does not return: »

This hotel does not accept transients.

2. Electronics. a) a sudden surge of voltage or current, especially in a system of sound amplification or reproduction. b) a sudden sound of short duration resulting from or accompanying such a surge.

╂[< Latin trānsiēns, transeuntis, present participle of trānsīre to go across < trāns- across + īre to go. Compare etym. under transeunt. (Cf. ↑transeunt)]

–tran´sient|ly, adverb.

–tran´sient|ness, noun.