# instant

Pronunciation: say "IN-stuhnt" /ˈɪnstənt/

## Noun

1. A very short period of time; a fleeting moment.
   - Simple: A very short piece of time, gone almost as soon as it starts.
   - _In that instant, everything changed for the young couple._
   - _She made the whole decision in a single instant._
4. A particular moment, usually one that can be pinpointed exactly.
   - Simple: A single, exact point in time.
   - _The camera captures the precise instant a drop hits the water._
   - _At that instant, the two signals lined up perfectly._
6. A food or drink pre-processed to cut down preparation time, especially instant coffee.
   - Simple: A drink or food, often coffee, that is ready to make very fast.
   - _Most campers pack instant rather than grinding their own beans._
   - _He stirred a spoonful of instant into the hot water._
7. Short for instant camera. — Ellipsis of instant camera.
   - Simple: Short for instant camera. Use this when you mean the camera that prints a photo right away.
   - _Photographers still love the look an instant produces._
   - _She pulled out an instant and snapped a quick photo._

## Adjective

2. Quickly and easily prepared, usually needing only hot water or brief heating.
   - Simple: Made to be ready to eat or drink very fast, with little work.
   - _Backpackers rely on instant meals that need only boiling water._
   - _He keeps a jar of instant coffee for busy mornings._
3. Happening or produced immediately, without any delay.
   - Simple: Happening right away, with no waiting.
   - _Online banking offers instant transfers between accounts._
   - _The medicine brought instant relief from the pain._
5. Over almost as soon as it begins; momentary or fleeting.
   - Simple: Lasting only a short moment and gone very quickly.
   - _There was an instant hush before the orchestra began to play._
   - _His instant flash of anger passed before anyone noticed._
8. Of the case, matter, or document presently under consideration.
   - Simple: Being the very case or matter now being dealt with.
   - _Counsel argued that the instant case fell outside the statute._
   - _The court distinguished the instant matter from the cited precedent._

## Adverb

9. Immediately; without any delay. *(literary)*
   - Simple: Right away, at once.
   - _And instant the storm broke upon the shore._
   - _She answered instant, before the question was even done._

## Adjective

10. About to occur; impending or imminent. *(dated)*
   - Simple: About to happen very soon.
   - _The sailors braced for the instant fury of the gale._
   - _Reports warned of an instant collapse of the old bridge._
11. Pressing and urgent; demanding immediate attention. *(dated)*
   - Simple: Needing action right away and very urgent.
   - _The ambassador delivered an instant appeal for a ceasefire._
   - _Her letter conveyed an instant need that brooked no delay._
12. Insistent and persistent; repeatedly urging or pressing. *(dated)*
   - Simple: Asking again and again without giving up.
   - _His instant entreaties eventually persuaded the council._
   - _She met their refusal with instant prayers and pleas._
13. Belonging to the present calendar month, used after a date in dated correspondence. *(dated)*
   - Simple: Belonging to the present month, used after a day's date in old letters.
   - _We received your letter of the 10th instant._
   - _Payment on the account is due on the 20th instant._

## Verb

14. To put pressure on someone, or to call insistently for something. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To strongly urge someone, or to demand something.

## Origin

**Meanings 1, 4, 6–7** — From Middle English instant ("an infinitely short period of time"), from Old French instant, from Latin īnstāns, īnstantis ("present, pressing, urgent," literally "standing near"). This was the present participle of īnstō ("to stand upon, be nearby"), from in- plus stō ("to stand").
**Meanings 2–3, 5, 8–13** — From French instant and Middle English instant, both from Old French, from Latin instans ("standing by, being near, present," also "urgent, importunate"). This was the present participle of īnstō ("to stand upon, press upon, urge, insist"), from in ("on, upon") plus stō ("to stand").
**Meaning 14** — Ultimately from Latin īnstāre, though its precise evolution is uncertain; the OED hints at an unattested Middle French form *instanter.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/instant (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).