NRTC Word of the Week: Evanescent

By Iswat Ishola, Francis Ikuerowo, Chiamaka Egwuchukwu, Saminu Yusuf Bena

Evanescent

(/ˌev-ə-NES-ənt/)

Evanescent is an adjective meaning lasting for a very short time, fleeting, and quickly fading away. It describes things that appear briefly and then disappear, often leaving only a memory or impression behind. The word is commonly used in literary, philosophical, and descriptive contexts to emphasize the temporary nature of moments, feelings, beauty, or experiences.

Example: 

The beauty of the sunset was evanescent, vanishing as night fell.

It is often used when talking about time, emotions, youth, fame, or moments that do not endure.

Origin:

From the Latin word evanescens (present participle of evanescere), meaning “to disappear, fade away,” derived from e- (“out”) and vanescere (“to vanish”).

Formed from:

• e- = out
  
  
• vanescere = to vanish
  
  
• -ent = adjective-forming suffix

Synonyms of evanescent

fleeting, transient, momentary, short-lived, impermanent

Antonyms of evanescent

lasting, enduring, permanent, persistent, perpetual

In Yorùbá, Evanescent is translated in a phrase form as “hàn fún ìgbà díẹ̀”, wà fún ìgbà díẹ̀, ohun tí kìí pẹ́ , depending on the context.

Examples

1. Afẹ́ ayé lè jẹ́ ohun ti ki i pẹ g
   (Life’s pleasures can be evanescent)
2. Ìgbà Ọmọde máa n wa fún ìgbà díẹ̀ (Childhood is an evanescent phase)

In Hausa, Evanescent is translated as “abu mai shuɗewa ko wucewa da sauri“

1. Kyamshin bakan gizo yana wucewa da sauri, ba ya dawwama (The evanescent beauty of the rainbow disappeared within minutes)
2. Shahara abu ne mai wucewa idan ba a kula da shi sosai ba (Fame can be evanescent if it is not carefully maintained.)

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In French, Evanescent is translated as “Évanescent”(direct and formal), “Fugace” (more common in everyday use)

Examples:

1. La beauté du coucher du soleil est évanescente. (The beauty of the sunset is evanescent.)
2. Son sourire n’était que fugace, mais mémorable. (Her smile was brief/evanescent, but memorable.)

In German, Evanescent is translated as “Vergänglich” (most natural and common), “Flüchtig “(emphasizes briefness or quick disappearance)

Examples:

1. Der Ruhm ist vergänglich. (Fame is evanescent.)
2. Der Nebel war flüchtig und verschwand schnell. (The fog was evanescent and disappeared quickly.)

In Spanish, Evanescent is translated as “Evanescente” (direct and formal), “Efímero” (very common and natural)

Examples:

1. La alegría fue evanescente. (The joy was evanescent.)
2. La fama en las redes sociales es efímera. (Fame on social media is evanescent.)

Iswat Ishola is the lead contributor to this column, with additional language contributions from Francis Ikuerowo (French, German, and Spanish), Chiamaka Egwuchukwu (Igbo), and Saminu Yusuf Bena (Hausa).