Definition of momentarily

The word "momentarily" originates from the 14th-century Latin phrase "in momento," which means "in the moment." The Latin phrase was used to describe something that lasts for a brief, fleeting instant. Over time, the phrase was adopted into Middle English as "momently," and later evolved into "momentarily." In the 15th century, the word "moment" began to take on a spatial connotation, referring to a point or instant in time. This led to the development of the adverb "momentarily," which means "for a moment" or "transitorily." Today, "momentarily" is commonly used to describe actions or events that occur briefly or momentarily, such as "I will be momentarily distracted." Despite its etymology, the word is often misused or misinterpreted, with some critics arguing that it should only be used to describe actions that actually last for a brief moment, rather than those that simply seem fleeting.