fleeting (ˈfliːtɪŋ
)
Definitions
adjective
- rapid and transient ⇒
a fleeting glimpse of the sea
Alternative Forms
ˈfleetingly adverb ˈfleetingness noun
Synonyms
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momentary,
short,
passing,
flying,
brief,
temporary,
short-lived,
fugitive,
transient,
flitting,
ephemeral,
transitory,
evanescent,
fugacious,
here today, gone tomorrow,
2fleet2 (fliːt)
Definitions
adjective
- rapid in movement; swift
- poetic fleeting; transient
verb
- (intr) to move rapidly
- (intr) archaic to fade away smoothly; glide
- (tr) nautical
- to change the position of (a hawser)
- to pass (a messenger or lead) to a hawser from a winch for hauling in
- to spread apart (the blocks of a tackle)
- (intr) obsolete to float or swim
- (tr) obsolete to cause (time) to pass rapidly
Alternative Forms
ˈfleetly adverb ˈfleetness noun Word Origin
probably Old English flēotan to float, glide rapidly; related to Old High German fliozzan to flow, Latin pluere to rain
