momentary
English
Etymology
From Late Latin mōmentārius (“of brief duration”), from mōmentum (“a short time, an instant”). Synchronically analyzable as moment + -ary.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈmoʊmənˌtɛɹi/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈməʊmənt(ə)ɹi/
- Hyphenation: mo‧men‧ta‧ry
Adjective
momentary (comparative more momentary, superlative most momentary)
- Lasting for only a moment.
- Happening at every moment; perpetual.
- Ephemeral or relatively short-lived.
- 1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: […] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], →OCLC:
- Yet oh! what an immense difference did I feel between this impression of a pleasure merely animal, and struck out of the collision of the sexes by a passive bodily effect, from that sweet fury, that rage of active delight which crowns the enjoyments of a mutual love-passion, where two hearts, tenderly and truly united, club to exalt the joy, and give it a spirit and soul that bids defiance to that end which mere momentary desires generally terminate in, when they die of a surfeit of satisfaction!
- 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 20, in The Dust of Conflict[1]:
- Tony's face expressed relief, and Nettie sat silent for a moment until the vicar said “It was a generous impulse, but it may have been a momentary one, […] .”
Synonyms
- See also Thesaurus:ephemeral
Derived terms
Translations
lasting for only a moment
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perpetual
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ephemeral or relatively short-lived
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