Definition of Instant

1. Noun. A very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat). "If I had the chance I'd do it in a flash"

Exact synonyms: Blink Of An Eye, Flash, Heartbeat, Jiffy, New York Minute, Split Second, Trice, Twinkling, Wink
Generic synonyms: Bit, Minute, Mo, Moment, Second
Derivative terms: Flash

2. Adjective. Occurring with no delay. "Instant gratification"
Exact synonyms: Instantaneous
Similar to: Fast
Derivative terms: Instancy, Instantaneousness

3. Noun. A particular point in time. "The moment he arrived the party began"

4. Adjective. In or of the present month. "Your letter of the 10th inst"
Exact synonyms: Inst
Similar to: Present

5. Adjective. Demanding attention. "An instant need"
Exact synonyms: Clamant, Crying, Exigent, Insistent
Similar to: Imperative
Derivative terms: Exigency, Exigency, Insistency, Instancy

Definition of Instant

1. a. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest.

2. adv. Instantly.

3. n. A point in duration; a moment; a portion of time too short to be estimated; also, any particular moment.

Definition of Instant

1. Noun. A very short period of time; a moment. ¹

2. Noun. A single, usually precise, point in time. ¹

3. Noun. An instant beverage or food, especially instant coffee. ¹

4. Noun. The current month (''abbreviated as'': inst.) ¹

5. Adjective. Impending; imminent. ¹

6. Adjective. Urgent; pressing; acute. ¹

7. Adjective. Occurring immediately; immediate; present. ¹

8. Adjective. Lasting for a short moment; momentary; short-lived. ¹

9. Adjective. Very quickly and easily prepared (food or drink), for example '''instant coffee'''. ¹

10. Adjective. Of the current month (abbreviation inst.) ¹

11. Adverb. (poetic) At once; immediately. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Instant

1. a very short time [n -S]

Medical Definition of Instant

1. 1. A point in duration; a moment; a portion of time too short to be estimated; also, any particular moment. "There is scarce an instant between their flourishing and their not being." (Hooker) 2. A day of the present or current month; as, the sixth instant; an elliptical expression equivalent to the sixth of the month instant, i. E, the current month. See Instant. Synonym: Moment, flash, second. Origin: F. Instant, fr. L. Instans standing by, being near, present. See Instant. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Instant

instance variables
instanced
instanced in
instances
instances in
instanciate
instanciated
instanciates
instanciating
instanciation
instancies
instancing
instancing in
instancy
instaneous
instant (current term)
instant(a)
instant coffee
instant mash
instant mashed potatoes
instant message
instant messaged
instant messages
instant messaging
instant messenger
instant messengers
instant noodle
instant replay
instantaneities
instantaneity

Literary usage of Instant

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Middlemarch: A Study of Provincial Life by George Eliot (1873)
"Will stood still an instant looking at her, then seated himself beside her, and laid his hand on hers, which turned itself upward to be clasped. ..."

2. Journal: 1st-13th Congress . Repr. 14th Congress, 1st Session by United States Congress. House (1837)
"The Speaker laid before the House a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, in compliance with the order of the House of the llth instant, of the amount ..."

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