momentary
UK: ˈməʊməntri | US: ˈmoʊmənteri
adj. lasting for a very short time; brief
adj. occurring or done at every moment; continuous (archaic)
Derived from Latin momentarius, meaning "of a moment," which stems from momentum (movement, brief time). The root moment entered English via Old French moment, retaining its core sense of a fleeting interval. The suffix -ary (from Latin -arius) transforms nouns into adjectives, here emphasizing transience. The word's evolution reflects humanity's perception of time as divisible into ephemeral units.
The candle's glow was momentary, extinguished by a sudden gust.
She felt a momentary pang of guilt before moving on.
His momentary lapse in concentration cost him the game.
The fireworks created a momentary brilliance in the night sky.
The medication provides only momentary relief from pain.