/in"steuhnt/ , n.
1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment: They arrived not an instant too soon.
2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.
3. a particular moment: at the instant of contact.
4. a food or beverage, esp. coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.
5. Older Use. the present or current month.
adj.
6. succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate: instant relief from a headache.
7. pressing or urgent: instant need.
8. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used: instant coffee; instant pudding.
9. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation: an instant book; instant answers; instant history.
10. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately: an instant lottery.
11. Older Use. of the present month: your letter of the 12th instant. Abbr.: inst. Cf. proximo, ultimo .
12. present; current: the instant case before the court.
adv.
13. instantly.
[ 1350-1400; 1910-15; for def. 8; ME instant- (s. of instans ) prp. of instare to be present, urgent, equiv. to in- IN- 2 + -sta- STAND + -nt- prp. suffix ]
Syn. 1. second, twinkling, flash, jiffy, trice. See minute 1 .