Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a transient manner; in passing; for a short time; not with continuance; transitorily.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a transient manner; momentarily; briefly.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb for a very short time

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

transient +‎ -ly

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word transiently.

Examples

  • His hand, falling lightly upon the man's shoulder, brought him squarely about, his expression transiently startled, if not a shade truculent.

    The Bronze Bell Louis Joseph Vance 1906

  • They smiled at his name transiently, but in agreement: the tattler-spout of their set was, a fatal person to encounter, and each deemed the sudden apparition of him in the very early morning along the Carlsruhe road rather magical.

    The Amazing Marriage — Complete George Meredith 1868

  • They smiled at his name transiently, but in agreement: the tattler-spout of their set was, a fatal person to encounter, and each deemed the sudden apparition of him in the very early morning along the Carlsruhe road rather magical.

    The Amazing Marriage — Volume 2 George Meredith 1868

  • They smiled at his name transiently, but in agreement: the tattler-spout of their set was, a fatal person to encounter, and each deemed the sudden apparition of him in the very early morning along the Carlsruhe road rather magical.

    Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith George Meredith 1868

  • Can we think that he takes a sufficiently discerning and religious view of her office and destiny _ever_ to do her justice, except when prompted by sentiment, -- accidentally or transiently, that is, for the sentiment will vary according to the relations in which he is placed?

    Woman in the Ninteenth Century and Kindred Papers Relating to the Sphere, Condition and Duties, of Woman. Margaret Fuller 1830

  • Before that condition is reached, even transiently which is also the case with our solar system, things are chaotic with a lot of entropy.

    Multi-Planet System is Chaotic, Dusty | Universe Today 2009

  • When I've suffered from paranoia, it has lasted a long time, not just "transiently" and "under-stress".

    www.mentallyinteresting.org.uk | Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive 2010

  • When I've suffered from paranoia, it has lasted a long time, not just "transiently" and "under-stress".

    www.mentallyinteresting.org.uk | Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive 2010

  • Being now retired and never having been in the police force and only transiently in the civil service — although I must say the large corporate I worked for for 35 years did try its very best to adhere to the official Home Office-approved diversity navel-gazing standards — I feel rather left out of this act of collective absolution.

    Thanks For Telling Me What I Think « POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG Inspector Gadget 2009

  • You can use all the statistical BS you want to try and convince others, but I cannot be convinced of the impossible idea that allowing any and every person who wants to transiently cross the borders of countries any which way the wind blows is ever good for anyone other than those who exploit them and themselves.

    Coyote Blog » Blog Archive » Immigration and Crime 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.