adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ in(t)-st ə n- ' t ā -n ē - ə s, -ny ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin instantaneus, from instant-, instans, noun
Date: 1651
1 : done, occurring, or acting without any perceptible duration of time <death was instantaneous >
2 : done without any delay being purposely introduced <took instantaneous action to correct the abuse>
3 : occurring or present at a particular instant < instantaneous velocity>
– in · stan · ta · ne · ity \ ˌ in- ˌ stan-t ə - ' n ē - ə -t ē , ˌ in(t)-st ə n-t ə - ' n ē - \ noun
– in · stan · ta · neous · ly \ ˌ in(t)-st ə n- ' t ā -n ē - ə s-l ē , -ny ə s-l ē \ adverb
– in · stan · ta · neous · ness noun