Fugacious

Word of the Day for Wednesday March 16, 2005

fugacious \fyoo-GAY-shuhs\, adjective:
Lasting but a short time; fleeting.

The fugacious nature of life and time.
--Harriet Martineau, Autobiography

Tastes, smells . . . being, in comparison, fugacious.
--John Stuart Mill, Examination of Sir W. Hamilton's Philosophy

When he proposed the tax in May, Altman thought it would follow the fugacious nature of some flowers: bloom quickly and die just as fast.
--Will Rodgers, "Parks proposal falls on 3-2 vote," Tampa Tribune, June 27, 2001


Fugacious is derived from Latin fugax, fugac-, "ready to flee, flying; hence, fleeting, transitory," from fugere, "to flee, to take flight." Other words derived from the same root include fugitive, one who flees, especially from the law; refuge, a place to which to flee back (re-, "back"), and hence to safety; and fugue, literally a musical "flight."
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Origin of the word- fugitive...well a caught fugitive across the street from my place


Fleeting Fame (the John Stamos promotion for his Jake Under Pressure show)


Fleeting Youth (posters on 35th st between 5th and 6th)


Fleeting Fashion (yes those are fur uggs)


Lasting but a short time-flowers from the flower market