ephemeral: [16] Ephemeral, now used fairly loosely for ‘transitory’, originally meant specifically ‘lasting only one day’. It comes from Greek ephémeros, a compound formed from the prefix epí- ‘on’ and hēmérā ‘day’. The Greeks named the mayfly ephémeron, since its adult form lives only one day, and English adopted ephemeron [16] as the scientific name for the insect.
ephemeral (adj.)
1560s; see ephemera + -al (1). Originally of diseases and lifespans, "lasting but one day;" extended sense of "transitory" is from 1630s. Related: Ephemerally; ephemerality.
实用例句
1. Most newspapers are of ephemeral interest.
多数报纸只能引起读者短暂的注意.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. These paintings are in some ways a reminder that earthly pleasures are ephemeral.
这些画在某种意义上提醒人们世俗的享乐是短暂的。
来自辞典例句
3. He talked about the country's ephemeral unity being shattered by the defeat.
他谈到战败使得该国短暂的统一彻底破灭。
来自辞典例句
4. And the steamboats, though their reign was longer, were ephemeral craft.
汽船的时代虽然比较长些, 还是一种朝不保夕的工具.
来自辞典例句
5. Such novels came forward to enjoy ephemeral popularity only.
