Quickly fading or disappearing; lasting for only a very short time. Used to describe things that vanish like vapor or exist only briefly.
From Latin 'evanescere' meaning 'to vanish away,' combining 'e-' (out) and 'vanescere' (to vanish). The word entered English in the early 18th century, maintaining its sense of something that disappears as quickly as morning mist.
Think of 'evanescent' as 'even essence sent away' — even the very essence of something disappears quickly. Like how your breath becomes visible in cold air for just a moment before vanishing completely.
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