ˈɪnstənt adj. & n. --adj. 1 occurring
immediately (gives an instant result). 2 a (of
food etc.)
ready for immediate use,
with little or no
preparation. b prepared hastily
and with little
effort (I
have no instant solution). 3
urgent;
pressing. 4
Commerce of
the current month (the 6th instant). 5
archaic of the present
moment. --n. 1 a
precise moment of
time,
esp. the present (come
here this instant;
went that instant;
told you the instant I heard). 2 a
short space of time (was
there in an instant;
not an instant
too soon). øinstant
replay the immediate
repetition of
part of a filmed sports
event,
often in
slow motion. [ME f. F f. L instare instantbe present, press
upon (as
IN-(2),
stare stand)]