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ephemeral

/ɪˈfem.ər.əl/

Definitions

adjective
  • Lasting for a very short time; transitory.
    はかない、一過性の、短命な
  • (Of a plant) Having a very short life cycle, germinating, flowering, and dying within a few days or weeks.
    （植物が）非常に短命な、一時的に生育する
noun
  • A plant that germinates, flowers, and dies within a short time.
    短期生植物、はかなきもの
  • Something that lasts only for a day, as a newspaper published daily.
    日刊紙、一時的な記事

Etymology

Early 17th century: from Greek ephēmeros (noun ephēmeron 'something that lasts only a day', adjective 'lasting only a day'), from epi- 'upon' + hēmera 'day'. The word originally described insects or plants with extremely short life cycles before expanding to metaphorical usage.

Related forms: ephemerality (n), ephemeralness (n), ephemera (n)

Usage Examples

"The ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms reminds us to cherish every fleeting moment."
サクラのはかない美しさは、一瞬一瞬を大切にするよう私たちを思いさせます。
"Digital art often captures the ephemeral nature of modern technology and memory."
デジタルアートは、現代のテクノロジーや記憶のはかなさをよく捉えています。
"He was fascinated by ephemeral organisms like mayflies and certain desert wildflowers."
彼は蜉蝣や特定の砂漠の野草のような短命な生物に魅了されていました。

Synonyms & Antonyms

fleeting transient momentary brief passing evanescent short-lived permanent enduring eternal lasting