impermanent
UK: ɪmˈpɜːmənənt | US: ɪmˈpɜːrmənənt
adj. not lasting or enduring; temporary
adj. subject to change or decay over time
impermanent = im<not> + permanent<lasting>
- im (prefix): A variant of "in-" meaning "not," derived from Latin in- (negation).
- permanent (root): From Latin permanens (remaining to the end), combining per- (through) + manere (to remain).
Etymology Origin:
The word "impermanent" emerged in Late Middle English, directly borrowing from Latin impermanens. It reflects the logical fusion of negation ("im-") with "permanent," emphasizing the transient nature of things. The root manere (to remain) is shared with words like "remain" and "mansion," but here it is negated to convey impermanence—a concept central to philosophical and scientific discussions about change.
The beauty of cherry blossoms lies in their impermanent nature.
Buddhist teachings emphasize that all material things are impermanent.
The artist used sand to create an impermanent sculpture washed away by the tide.
Their happiness was impermanent, fading as quickly as it had come.
Modern architecture often prioritizes durable materials over impermanent designs.