Instant

INSTANT, IN'STANTLY, used five times in the A.V. for "urgent," "earnest." Luke 7:4; Luke 23:23; Acts 26:7; Rom 12:12; 2 Tim 4:2.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A point in duration; a moment; a portion of time too short to be estimated; also, any particular moment. There is scarce an instant between their flourishing and their not being. Hooker.

2. A day of the present or current month; as, the sixth instant; -- an elliptical expression equivalent to the sixth of the month instant, i. e., the current month. See Instant, a., 3.

Synonyms: Moment; flash; second.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

1. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Rom. xii. 12. I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation. Carlyle.

2. Closely pressing or impending in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay. Impending death is thine, and instant doom. Prior.

3. Present; current. The instant time is always the fittest time. Fuller.

Part of speech: adverb (adv.)

Instantly. [Poetic] Instant he flew with hospitable haste. Pope.