transient.html - adj. & n.
--adj.

1 of short duration; momentary; passing; impermanent (life is transient; of transient interest).
2 Mus. serving only to connect; inessential (a transient chord).

--n.

1 a temporary visitor, worker, etc.
2 Electr. a brief current etc.

transience n. transiency n. transiently adv. [L transire (as TRANS-, ire go)]

transient.html - v.tr.
pass a strong light through for inspection, esp. for medical diagnosis.

transillumination n.

transient.html - n.
Brit. a customs permit for the passage of goods. [L transire go across (as TRANSIENT)]

transient.html - n.
1 a semiconductor device with three connections, capable of amplification in addition to rectification.
2 (in full transistor radio) a portable radio with transistors. [portmanteau word, f. TRANSFER + RESISTOR]

transient.html - v.tr.
(also -ise) design or equip with, or convert to, transistors rather than valves.

transistorization n.

transient.html - n. & v.
--n.

1 the act or process of going, conveying, or being conveyed, esp. over a distance (transit by rail; made a transit of the lake).
2 a passage or route (the overland transit).
3 a the apparent passage of a celestial body across the meridian of a place. b such an apparent passage across the sun or a planet.
4 US the local conveyance of passengers on public routes.

--v.

(transited, transiting)
1 tr. make a transit across.
2 intr. make a transit.

in transit while going or being conveyed. transit camp a camp for the temporary accommodation of soldiers, refugees, etc. transit-circle (or -instrument) an instrument for observing the transit of a celestial body across the meridian. transit-compass (or -theodolite) a surveyor's instrument for measuring a horizontal angle. transit-duty duty paid on goods passing through a country. transit lounge a lounge at an airport for passengers waiting between flights. transit visa a visa allowing only passage through a country. [ME f. L transitus f. transire (as TRANSIENT)]