Dictionary
in•stant
Pronunciation: (in'stunt), [key]—
n.
1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment:
They arrived not an instant too soon.
2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.
3. a particular moment:
at the instant of contact.
4. a food or beverage, esp. coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.
5. Older Use.the present or current month.
—
adj.
1. succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate:
instant relief from a headache.
2. pressing or urgent:
instant need.
3. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used:
instant coffee; instant pudding.
4. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation:
an instant book; instant answers; instant history.
5. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately:
an instant lottery.
6. Older Use.of the present month:
your letter of the 12th instant. Abbr.: inst. Cf.
proximo, ultimo.
7. present; current:
the instant case before the court.
—
adv.
instantly.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
