a. (sb.) Also 4–5 transitore, 4–7 -itorie, 5 -etorie, -itoire, (trancitorie), 5–6 transetory, -ytory(e, -itorye, 6 Sc. -itoir. [ad. F. transitoire (12th c. in Godef., Compl.), ad. post-Aug.L. transitōrius having or allowing a passage through, in Chr.L. transient, passing, f. transit-: see TRANSIT v. and -ORY2.]
1. Having the quality of passing away; not lasting; fleeting, momentary, brief; transient.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, III. 778 (827). Now yf he wot þat Ioye is transitorie [v.r.trancitorie].
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, ii. (Paulus), 219. Þat eftire þis lyfe transitore Euire-lestand lyfe is me before.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., I. iv. 13. This world is not but a vayn thinge and transitoire.
1543–4. Act 35 Hen. VIII., c. 1 § 6. This Realme, after the Kinges transitorie lief,… shoulde be destitute of a laufull governour.
a. 1633. Austin, Medit. (1635), 279. So they are as transitorie as a Shepheards Tent. Ibid., 280. Like Things of that transitory nature, they begin to weare away.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 3. That adventure … gave him also a transitory view of that excellent Lady.
1712. Swift, Wonderful Prophecy (heading), This vain and transitory world will shortly be brought to its final dissolution.
1859. Kingsley, Misc. (1860), II. 75. All the Continental Nations look upon our present peace as but transitory, momentary.
† 2. Having a passage-way, allowing passage through. Obs. rare.
1613. Godwin, Rom. Antiq. (1625), 9. It had the name of Forum Transitorium, the transitorie Forum, because there was Transitus, id est, a way or passage through it into three seuerall market places.
b. Of the nature of a passage or transition; transitional. rare.
1592. trans. Junius on Rev. xix. 1. This chapter hath … two parts, one transitory or of passage unto the things that follow.
1906. Rep. Vice-reg. Comm. Poor Law Ref. Ireland, I. 31. The transitory period between the old and new systems.
3. Law. Transitory action, an action in which the venue might be laid in any county.
1665. Ever, Tryals per Pais, x. 133. The Jurors of one County may finde any transitory thing done in another County.
1708. Termes de la Ley, 419. An Action of Trespass for Battery, is transitory and not local.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. xxiii. 384. Actions transitory follow the person of the defendant, territorial suits must be discussed in the territorial tribunal.
1848. Wharton, Law Lex., 390/1. Personal actions are for the most part transitory, i. e., their cause of action may be supposed to take place anywhere.
† 4. (app.) Trifling, of little moment. Obs.
1672. Dryden, Assignation, II. ii. You may scape with the loss of a Leg, or an Arm, or some such transitory Limb. Ibid. (1673), Amboyna, II. i. Remember, no transitory sum, three hundred quadruples in your own country gold.
B. sb. † 1. A transitory or fleeting thing. (Chiefly in pl.) Obs.
1649. Roberts, Clavis Bibl., 367. A comfortable transitory enjoyment of transitories.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 15. He that too closely imbraceth Transitories, is much the worse for them.
1665. Glanvill, Scepsis Sci., 50. This feeting Transitory our Life.
† 2. a. The transverse limb of the cross-staff (CROSS-STAFF 2). b. A transit-instrument. Obs.
(In sense a, Bourne has also transvastory and transversary.)
1574. W. Bourne, Regiment for Sea, vi. (1577), 26. To take the heigth of the Sunne, to knowe the Altitude of the Pole aboue the Horizon, doo this…. Put the Transitorie [ed. 1580, lf. 29 Transuastorie; ed. 1631, lf. 29 Transuersary] vpon the long staffe, then sette the end of the long staffe close at the corner of your eye [etc.]. Ibid. (c. 1578), Treas. Trav., I. ix. 17. Concernyng the making of a Crosse staffe … you shal make an other short staff, called a Transuastorie, of two foote long, and in the very myddle of it you shall make a square hole.] Ibid., x. 18 b. If that the distaunce be further then the Transitorie wyl take, and the wal too shorte: then remoue the Plattes or wynges of the Transitorie to the markes, sixe ynches from both the endes of the Transitorie.
1751. Phil. Trans., XLVII. xxii. 159. I had several times seen Venus on the meridian with a three-foot transitory.
