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Glite Dictionary
🕰️ A short-lived thing 💾 A temporary link
ephemeron

ephemeron

9.9
A living thing or object that lasts only a very short time like a mayfly
  • noun
  • /ɪˈfɛmərən/
translation icon : efímero
  • The mayfly is a classic example of an ephemeron, living just one day as an adult.

Examples

  • Many species of ephemerons only live for a few hours.

  • He used the term ephemeron to describe trends that vanish almost as quickly as they appear.

  • Research into the ephemeron sheds light on the fleeting nature of some insect species.

  • The ephemeron danced briefly on the water's surface.

  • The mayfly is a classic example of an ephemeron, living just one day as an adult.

  • Research into the ephemeron sheds light on the fleeting nature of some insect species.

  • Many species of ephemerons only live for a few hours.

Synonyms

ephemera
vsephemeron
5 8.8

Things kept for a short time, like old tickets or postcards

also applies to short-lived living things as well as objects, not only collectible items
ephemeral
vsephemeron
  • Specialized
8.6

A plant or insect that lives for only a very short time

is used as a noun to name short-lived living things or objects
ephemeropteran
vsephemeron
  • Specialized
9.9

An insect like a mayfly that lives only a few hours as an adult

is a broader term for any short-lived living thing or object, not only insects
ephemerid
vsephemeron
  • Specialized
9.9

An insect like a mayfly that lives and dies within a day

is the general label for short-lived living things or objects, not insect-specific

Antonyms

perennial
12 3.9

A plant that lives for several years and comes back each spring

long-lived
6 3.9

That lasts for a long time

Surface Forms

ephemeron singular
ephemerons plural

Morphology

ephemeron = ephemeral (transparent) = ephemer + on

Formed from the adjective 'ephemeral' with a noun-forming '-on'; the meaning 'a short-lived thing' is directly inferable from 'ephemeral'.

Etymology

Ephemeron comes from the Greek ephemeros, which means 'lasting for a day' and is the same root as ephemeral. Think of the mayfly that lives only a day. So an ephemeron is something that lasts only a very short time.