-rē, -ri adjective
Etymology: Middle English transitorie, transitore, from Middle French transitoire, from Late Latin transitorius, from Latin, of or allowing passage, from transitus (past participle of transire to go across, pass, pass away) + -orius -ory — more at transient
1.
a. : marked by the quality of passing away : evanescent , transient
barter the transitory pleasures of the world for the heavenly hope — Nathaniel Hawthorne
thoughts are illusive, transitory , fleeting, thin shadows of reality — William Zukerman
objects of sense … are transitory and ephemeral — Frank Thilby
b. : of brief duration : existing momentarily : temporary
the depression of occipital activity may be transitory , lasting only for minutes or seconds — Oscar Sugar
those who spend a transitory period in the public service — O.G.Stahl
a transitory and impermanent occurrence like a shriek — Samuel Alexander
the postage stamp renders only one transitory service, which is wholly exhausted within one financial period — S.W.Rowland & Brian Magee
2. : transitional
Synonyms: see transient