fugacious

[Lat. fugar (gen it. fugacis ), from fug a flight; fugio to flee; Fr. & Ital. fugace; Sp. fugaz.] 1. Ord. Lang.: Fugitive, volatile; lasting but for a short time. 2. Bot . ( of a leaf , calyx , corolla , & c .): Falling off early; as the leaves of cactus, the calyx of papaver, poppy, . It is called also caducous.