instant

¹in·stant

noun \ˈin(t)-stənt\

Definition of INSTANT

1

: an infinitesimal space of time; especially : a point in time separating two states <at the instant of death>

2

: the present or current month

Examples of INSTANT

1. For an instant, I forgot where I was.
2. The ride was over in an instant.

Origin of INSTANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin instant-, instans, from instant-, instans, adjective, instant, from Latin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INSTANT

Synonyms: beat, eyeblink, flash, heartbeat, jiff, jiffy, minute, moment, nanosecond, New York minute, second, shake, split second, trice, twinkle, twinkling, wink

Related Words: microsecond; snatch, spurt

Near Antonyms: aeon (or eon), age, eternity, forever; infinity, lifetime

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