Fleeting meaning : To float. To pass over rapidly; to skim the surface of. To hasten over; to cause to pass away lightly, or in mirth and joy. To flee, to escape, to speed away. To evanesce, disappear, die out. To move up a rope, so as to haul to more advantage; especially to draw apart the blocks of a tackle. (of people) To move or change in position. To shift the position of dead-eyes when the shrouds are become too long. To cause to slip down the barrel of a capstan or windlass, as a rope or chain. To take the cream from; to skim. Passing quickly; of short duration.