shortgevity

English

Alternative forms

short-gevity

Etymology

Blend of short +‎ longevity. Or more precisely, from short + -gevity, a back-formation from longevity, specifically in the spoken form /lɒŋˈdʒɛvɪti/.

Pronunciation

(Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌʃɔːtˈd͡ʒɛ.vɪ.ti/
(General American) IPA^(key): /ˌʃɔɹtˈd͡ʒɛ.vɪ.ti/

Noun

shortgevity (uncountable)

(often humorous) The state or condition of lasting for only a short period of time, in contrast to longevity.
- 1993, Garrett Oppenheim, Gwen Oppenheim, The Golden Handicap:
  I did not discuss the prognosis with Dr. Glass, nor did I ask him any questions about my probable longevity — or shortgevity.
- 2010, Howard M. Fillit, Kenneth Rockwood, Kenneth Woodhouse, Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology:
  Not all nations are in a position to benefit from longevity, and in fact, a significant number suffer from its opposite—shortgevity.
- 2015, Leo Brett, Patricia Fanthorpe, Lionel Fanthorpe, Supernatural Stories featuring The Frozen Tomb:
  They'd have had him if he changed his ways, but Foster's conversions were famous for their short-gevity. Keith was proud of that word. He had made it up himself. Short-gevity was his opposite for longevity. It was an original Sylvester antonym.