ansient_ and _transitory_ are both derived from the same original
source (L. _trans_, over, and _eo_, go), denoting that which quickly
passes or is passing away, but there is between them a fine shade of
difference. A thing is _transient_ which in fact is not lasting; a thing
is _transitory_ which by its very nature must soon pass away; a thing is
_temporary_ (L. _tempus_, time) which is intended to last or be made use
of but a little while; as, a _transient_ joy; this _transitory_ life; a
_temporary_ chairman. _Ephemeral_ (Gr. _epi_, on, and _hemera_, day)
literally lasting but for a day, often marks more strongly than
_transient_ exceeding brevity of duration; it agrees with _transitory_
in denoting that its object is destined to pass away, but is stronger,
as denoting not only its certain but its speedy extinction; thus that
which is _ephemeral_ is looked upon as at once slight and perishable,
and the word carries often a suggestion of contempt; man's life is
_transitory_, a butterfly's existence is _ephemeral_; with no solid
qualities or worthy achievements a pretender may sometimes gain an
_ephemeral_ popularity. That which is _fleeting_ is viewed as in the act
of passing swiftly by, and that which is _fugitive_ (L. _fugio_, flee)
as eluding attempts to detain it; that which is _evanescent_ (L.
_evanesco_, from _e_, out, and _vanus_, empty, vain) as in the act of
vanishing even while we gaze, as the hues of the sunset.

Antonyms:

abiding, eternal, immortal, lasting, perpetual, undying,
enduring, everlasting, imperishable, permanent, persistent, unfading.

* * * * *

UNION.

Synonyms:

coalition, conjunction, juncture, unification,
combination, junction, oneness, unity.

_Unity_ is _oneness_, the state of being one, especially of that which
never has been divided or of that which can not be conceived of as
resolved into parts; as, the _unity_ of God or the _unity_ of the human
soul. _Union_ is a bringing together of things that have been distinct,
so that they combine or coalesce to form a new whole, or the state or
condition of things thus brought together; in a _union_ the separate
individuality of the things united is never lost sight of; we speak of
the _union_ of the parts of a fractured bone or of the _union_ of hearts
in marriage. But _unity_ can be said of that which is manifestly or even
conspicuously made up of parts, when a