in+an+instant

  • 131instant — {{11}}instant (adj.) mid 15c., present, urgent, from O.Fr. instant (14c.), from L. instantem (nom. instans) pressing, urgent, lit. standing near (see INSTANT (Cf. instant) (n.)). Meaning now, present is from 1540s, and led to the use of the word… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 132instant — /ˈɪnstənt / (say instuhnt) noun 1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment: 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… …