| instant Oct 26th 2013, 01:16, by Equinox | | | | Line 88: | Line 88: | | | {{en-adj|-}} | | {{en-adj|-}} | | | | | | | − | # [[impending|Impending]]; [[imminent]]. | + | # {{cx|dated|lang=en}} [[impending|Impending]]; [[imminent]]. | | − | # [[urgent|Urgent]]; [[pressing]]; [[acute]]. | + | #* Prior | | | + | #*: Impending death is thine, and '''instant''' doom. | | | + | # {{cx|dated|lang=en}} [[urgent|Urgent]]; [[pressing]]; [[acute]]. | | | + | #* Bible, Rom. xii. 12 | | | + | #*: Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing '''instant''' in prayer. | | | + | #* Carlyle | | | + | #*: I am beginning to be very '''instant''' for some sort of occupation. | | | # Occurring [[immediately]]; [[immediate]]; [[present]]. | | # Occurring [[immediately]]; [[immediate]]; [[present]]. | | | + | #* Fuller | | | + | #*: The '''instant''' time is always the fittest time. | | | #* {{quote-book|year=1905|author=[[w:Emma Orczy|Baroness Emmuska Orczy]] | | #* {{quote-book|year=1905|author=[[w:Emma Orczy|Baroness Emmuska Orczy]] | | | |title=[[w:The Case of Miss Elliott|The Hocussing of Cigarette]] | | |title=[[w:The Case of Miss Elliott|The Hocussing of Cigarette]] | | Line 96: | Line 98: | | | |passage=No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his ''employés'' with '''instant''' dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.}} | | |passage=No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his ''employés'' with '''instant''' dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.}} | | | # Lasting for a short moment; [[momentary]]; [[short-lived]]. | | # Lasting for a short moment; [[momentary]]; [[short-lived]]. | | − | # Very quickly and easily prepared (food or drink), for example '''instant coffee'''. | + | # Very quickly and easily prepared. | | | + | #: '''''instant''' coffee'' | | | # Of the [[current]] month ([[abbreviation]] inst.). | | # Of the [[current]] month ([[abbreviation]] inst.). | | | #* "I refer to your letter of the 16th '''inst.''' in regard to traffic disruption" | | #* "I refer to your letter of the 16th '''inst.''' in regard to traffic disruption" |
Latest revision as of 01:16, 26 October 2013 English[edit] Alternative forms[edit] Pronunciation[edit] Etymology 1[edit] From Middle English instant ("infinitely short period of time"), from Old French instant ("assiduous, at hand", adj), from Latin instans, instant- ("present, pressing, urgent", literally "standing near"), from in + stāre ("to stand"). Compare Old English instede ("immediately, on the spot, at once"). More at in, stand. instant (plural instants) - A very short period of time; a moment.
- She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.
- A single, usually precise, point in time.
- The instant the alarm went off, he fled the building.
- An instant beverage or food, especially instant coffee.
- The current month (abbreviated as: inst.)
- In response to your letter of the twenty-first instant...
Translations[edit] Etymology 2[edit] From Old French and French instant, from Latin instans ("standing by, being near, present, also urgent, importunate"), present participle of instare ("to stand upon, press upon, urge, pursue, insist"), from in ("on, upon") + stare ("to stand"); see state. Adjective[edit] instant (not comparable) - (dated) Impending; imminent.
- Prior
- Impending death is thine, and instant doom.
- (dated) Urgent; pressing; acute.
- Bible, Rom. xii. 12
- Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
- Carlyle
- I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.
- Occurring immediately; immediate; present.
- Fuller
- The instant time is always the fittest time.
- 1905, Baroness Emmuska Orczy, chapter 2, The Hocussing of Cigarette[1]:
- No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.
- Lasting for a short moment; momentary; short-lived.
- Very quickly and easily prepared.
- instant coffee
- Of the current month (abbreviation inst.).
- "I refer to your letter of the 16th inst. in regard to traffic disruption"
Derived terms[edit] Related terms[edit] Translations[edit] of the current month | | | - Japanese: 今月の (kongetsu no)
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instant (not comparable) - (poetic) At once; immediately.
- 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, I.182:
- He left the room for his relinquished sword, / And Julia instant to the closet flew.
Related terms[edit] Statistics[edit]
Catalan[edit] instant m (plural instants) - instant (very short period of time)
Pronunciation[edit] Adjective[edit] instant m (feminine instante, masculine plural instants, feminine plural instantes) - (literary) pressing, insistent
instant m (plural instants) - instant, minute, moment
Derived terms[edit]
instant - third-person plural present active indicative of instō
Romanian[edit] Etymology[edit] English instant Pronunciation[edit] Adjective[edit] instant 4 nom/acc forms - instant
Declension[edit] instant - instantly
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