ephemeral

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   lasting a very short time

   the ephemeral joys of childhood

2. 2
   adj

   Lasting for a short period of time.

   1821-1822, Vicesimus Knox, Remarks on the tendency of certain Clauses in a Bill now pending in Parliament to degrade Grammar Schools Esteem, lasting esteem, the esteem of good men, like himself, will be his reward, when the gale of ephemeral popularity shall have gradually subsided.

3. 3
   adj

   Usually dry, but filling with water for brief periods during and after precipitation.

   The graben constitutes a depositional basin and a topographic low, underlain by Cretaceous shales, in which volcanic debris accumulated in ephemeral lakes and streams in Oligocene and early Miocene time.

4. 4
   noun

   anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form

5. 5
   adj

   Existing for only one day, as with some flowers, insects, and diseases.

6. 6
   noun

   Something which lasts for a short period of time.

Etymology

From New Latin ephemerus, from Ancient Greek ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros), the more common form of ἐφημέριος (ephēmérios, “of, for, or during the day, living or lasting but for a day, short-lived, temporary”), from ἐπί (epí, “on”) + ἡμέρα (hēméra, “day”).