IMMEDIATE


Meaning of IMMEDIATE in English

ə̇ˈmēdēə̇]t, usu ]d.+V; chiefly Brit -mējə̇] or -mēdyə̇] adjective

Etymology: Late Latin immediatus, from Latin in- in- (I) + mediatus mediate — more at mediate

1.

a. : acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : direct , proximate

the immediate cause of death

b. : of or relating to psychic immediacy : being or occurring without reference to other states or factors : intuitive

immediate knowledge

2. of relations between persons

a. : having no individual intervening : being next in line or relation : not secondary or remote

the immediate parties to the quarrel

only the immediate family was present

you are most immediate to our throne — Shakespeare

b. : standing in or being the relation of vassal and lord when the one holds directly of the other

3.

a. : occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss of time : made or done at once : instant

an immediate need for help

immediate expenses

agreed to an immediate marriage

b. of time : near to or related to the present

sometime in the immediate past

the immediate future is uncertain

4. : characterized by contiguity : existing without intervening space or substance

bring the chemicals into immediate contact very cautiously

broadly : being near at hand : not far apart or distant

hid the money in the immediate neighborhood

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.