from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ephemeral \E*phem"er*al\, a.
1. Beginning and ending in a day; existing only, or no longer
than, a day; diurnal; as, an ephemeral flower.
[1913 Webster]
2. Short-lived; existing or continuing for a short time only.
"Ephemeral popularity." --V. Knox.
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Sentences not of ephemeral, but of eternal,
efficacy. --Sir J.
Stephen.
[1913 Webster]
{Ephemeral fly} (Zo["o]l.), one of a group of neuropterous
insects, belonging to the genus {Ephemera} and many allied
genera, which live in the adult or winged state only for a
short time. The larv[ae] are aquatic; -- called also {day
fly} and {May fly}.
[1913 Webster]