— ephemerally , adv. — ephemeralness , n.
/i fem"euhr euhl/ , adj.
1. lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood.
2. lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower.
n.
3. anything short-lived, as certain insects.
[ 1570-80; ephémer ( os ) short-lived, lasting but a day ( ep- EP- + hemér ( a ) day + -os adj. suffix) + -AL 1 ]
Syn. 1. fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief.
Ant. 1. permanent.