instant

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.

Thy life is long, Eternity is short. So short that, shouldst thou die and Eternity should pass, and after the passing of Eternity thou shouldst live again, thou wouldst say: ‘I closed mine eyes but for an instant.’

A single, usually precise, point in time.

The instant the alarm went off, he fled the building.

A beverage or food which has been pre-processed to reduce preparation time, especially instant coffee.

Ellipsis of instant camera.

Impending; imminent.

Impending death is thine, and instant doom.

Urgent; pressing; acute.

Insistent; persistent.

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

January 2, 1827, Thomas Carlyle, letter to Mrs. Carlyle, Scotsbrig I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.

Present; current; extant.

He received just two disciplinary reports prior to committing the instant offense, one in March 2019 for activating an alarm during a non-emergency situation, and one in May 2019 for failing to provide a urine specimen.

Occurring immediately; immediate; present.

I ſee no day to To day, the inſtant Time is alvvayes the fitteſt time.

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.

At once; immediately.

He left the room for his relinquished sword, / And Julia instant to the closet flew.