01 a. Beginning and ending in a day; existing only, or no longer than, a day; diurnal; as, an ephemeral flower.
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1.
Beginning and ending in a day; existing only, or no longer than, a day; diurnal; as, an ephemeral flower.
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2.
Short-lived; existing or continuing for a short time only.“Sentences not of ephemeral, but of eternal, efficacy.” — Sir J. Stephen.
Phrases & compounds
Ephemeral fly —
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 larvæ are aquatic; -- called also day fly and May fly.