instantn.
/ˈɪnst(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˈɪnst(ə)nt/ I. Senses relating to time.† 4. That which is present, or is (as a permanent fact). Obsolete. rare.
1. The point of time now present, or regarded as present with reference to some action or event; hence, point of time, moment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > [noun] > a or the present point in time
instantc1503
now1623
c1503 Beuys of Southhamptowne (Pynson) 964 They went to the kynge in that instant.
1576 A. Fleming tr. L. Lucceius in Panoplie Epist. 63 Which offereth unto me, at this instant, no lesse occasion of musing.
1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 31 Green figges, which at that instant were brought from thence.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. i. 64 The verie instant that I saw you, did My heart flie to your seruice. View more context for this quotation
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 138 Phantasies..running in the mind at the very instant of conception.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. xix. 202 Of all the extent of time, onely the instant is that which we can call ours.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xliv. 175 I made him no answer for the instant.
1714 R. Steele Reader No. 7 (1723) 281 The Monitor of the day following, to wit on the Instant of my present writing.
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xvii. 777 Fly to the Fleet, this Instant fly.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. 134 He wished impatiently for death, and hastened the instant of it.
1900 N.E.D. at Instant Mod. Come this very instant!
2. An infinitely short space of time; a point of time; a moment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > moment or instant
hand-whileOE
prinkOE
start-while?c1225
twinkling1303
rese?c1335
prick1340
momenta1382
pointa1382
minutea1393
instant1398
braida1400
siquarea1400
twink14..
whip?c1450
movement1490
punct1513
pissing whilea1556
trice1579
turning of a hand1579
wink1585
twinklec1592
semiquaver1602
punto1616
punctilio of time1620
punctum1620
breathing1625
instance1631
tantillation1651
rapc1700
crack1725
turning of a straw1755
pig's whisper1780
jiffy1785
less than no time1788
jiff1797
blinka1813
gliffy1820
handclap1822
glimpsea1824
eyewink1836
thought1836
eye-blink1838
semibreve1845
pop1847
two shakes of a lamb's taila1855
pig's whistle1859
time point1867
New York minute1870
tick1879
mo?1896
second1897
styme1897
split-second1912
split minute1931
no-time1942
sec.1956
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum ii. xviii. (Add. MS. 27944) An Instant is a duringe that abydith nouȝt, for an Instant is and neuer was nothir shal be.
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. i. f. 1v An instant in time, is neither tyme, nor part of tyme.
1651 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Dying iii. §4. 89 That sorrow..which gives its smart but by instants and smallest proportions of time.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xiv. 86 Such a part of Duration..wherein we perceive no Succession, is that which we may call an Instant.
1713 J. Addison Cato i. iii Every instant I expect him here.
1833 N. Arnott Elements Physics (ed. 5) II. 82 Owing to the momentum acquired in the first instants.
1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon II. 68 He was not an instant too soon.
3. Phrases (from senses 1, 2). †at (in) one (an) instant, at one and the same moment, concurrently. †at one (an) instant, in a moment, forthwith, immediately. in an instant, on (†upon, †in) the instant, etc. the instant, elliptically = ‘the very instant’ or ‘moment that’, ‘as soon as ever’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > simultaneity or contemporaneousness > [adverb]
on (or in) one sitheeOE
togethersc1175
togetherc1200
at once?c1225
at one shiftc1325
jointly1362
at one strokec1374
with that ilkec1390
at one shipea1400
withc1440
at a timec1485
at (in) one (an) instant1509
all at a shove1555
pari passu1567
in (also at, with) one breath1590
in that ilkec1590
with the same1603
in one1616
concurrently1648
concurringly1650
contemporarily1669
simultaneously1675
synchronistically1684
coevallya1711
in (also with) the same breath1721
synchronically1749
at a slap1753
synchronously1793
contemporaneously1794
coinstantaneously1807
coetaneouslya1817
consentaneously1817
at one or a sweep1834
coincidentally1837
at the very nonce1855
one time1873
coincidently1875
in parallel1969
real time1993
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > immediately [phrase] > the very instant or as soon as ever
the moment1724
the instant1755
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cclxvi In one instant he fallys agayne.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 177 The charyte of god..enflaumed them all in a poynte, momente or instante.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 47 It should be midday with us, and them at one instaunt.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxix. 5 It shalbe at an instant suddenly. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 208 It is yong Orlando, that tript vp the Wrastlers heeles, and your heart, both in an instant . View more context for this quotation
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. 17 A great Knight arriving in the instant.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes iii. 38 The place being on an instant covered with a world of people.
1755 H. Walpole Lett. to H. Mann 15 June The instant he leaves you, you, all the world, are nothing to him.
1795 A. Hughes Jemima I. 215 Rosina..taking Jemima aside on the instant.
1850 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces (ed. 2) 78 The instant they are brought into metallic contact..chemical action takes place.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxii. 217 He ran for it on the instant.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 214 What, replied Dionysodorus in an instant; am I the brother of Euthydemus?
1879 W. E. Gladstone Gleanings Past Years II. vi. 298 Croker assailed, and assailed on the instant, some of Macaulay's celebrated speeches on Reform.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [noun] > that which exists
entity1604
essential1667
instant1677
ent188.
is1897
1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. 285 Eternitie..is but one only fixed permanent Is or Instant..Eternitie is not a fluent instant, such as they make to be in Time, but ‘nunc’ or ‘instans stans’, a standing fixed permanent Instant.
II. An example or fact.† 5. = instance n. 6. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > exemplifying some rule, activity, quality, etc.
asaumplea1250
evidencec1391
piecea1393
examplea1398
samplera1400
exemplarc1475
paradigm1483
instant1560
precedenta1575
exemplification1582
exemplary1583
instance1592
instancy1613
copy1641
specimen1659
patron saint1803
for instance1959
1560 J. Jewel Let. in J. Jewel & H. Cole True Copies Lett. sig. C.ii Aristotle geueth order to ye opponent in many cases to require an instant, as I do now at your hand.
III. An entreaty.† 6. Urgent entreaty: = instance n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty
halsingc825
bisocnea1250
beseechinga1300
scritha1325
adjurementa1382
obsecrationa1382
supplication1417
jurationc1425
treatyc1450
treatise1470
entreatya1530
obtestation1531
entreat1532
greetc1540
entreature?1548
supplicamusa1580
treat1601
beseech1609
instant1610
impetration1618
solicit1639
entreatment1825
plea1925
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 687 Upon her instant unto the Romans for aide, garisons were set.
IV. Something produced without delay.
7. An ‘instant’ beverage (see instant adj. 4c); spec. instant coffee.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > coffee > [noun] > coffee by type of preparation
real coffee1877
drip coffee1895
cowboy coffee1915
café-filtre1922
caffè espresso1933
perc1936
Nescafé1938
espresso1945
instant1954
Nescaff1962
cafe Americano1964
filtre1966
Nes1967
Americano1973
espresso macchiato1976
caffè ristretto1977
ristretto1980
espresso ristretto1983
half-caf1990
1954 N.Y. Times Mag. 19 Sept. vi. 52 The ‘instants’—soluble coffee, soluble cocoa.
1963 ‘A. Gilbert’ Ring for Noose xi. 132 Julie..asked if she could have coffee. ‘I'll make you a cup of Instant, dear,’ said kind-hearted Sally.
1968 J. Porter Dover goes to Pott iii. 40 She offered the two detectives a cup of coffee..with..the assurance that there was plenty more instant in the tin.
1973 ‘D. Halliday’ Dolly & Starry Bird i. 4 He had the kettle on and the Instant on the table.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
instantadj.adv.
/ˈɪnst(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˈɪnst(ə)nt/ I. Urgent, pressing.
1. Pressing, urgent, importunate.
a. Said of persons and their actions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > pressure or urgency > [adjective]
instant1477
urgent1611
the mind > language > speech > request > [adjective] > importunate
onwileOE
importune?1406
instant1477
importunate1529
urgent1548
important1591
importuning1599
instancing1606
clamorous1621
precarious1655
craving1668
clamanta1687
1477 [implied in: W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 38 Whan he had required them instantly and admonested them to doo well, he dide doo marche them ayenst their enemyes. (at instantly adv. 1a)].
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. xiiv Theyse .iiii. Bysshopys..made instaunt labour to the Kynge, for the obseruynge of the Popys commaundement.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. ii. f. 58v He was instant to trauayle westwarde by foote.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Luke xxiii. 23 They were instant with loud voyces, and required that he might be crucified.
1560 Bible (Geneva) 2 Tim. iv. 2 Preache the worde: be instant, in season and out of season.
1693 J. Dryden in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires Argt. 274 He is instant with all Parents, that they permit not their Children, to hear lascivious Words.
1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 885 The Bishops were instant with the King to make Peace.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate II. ix. 242 He..was more instant in his affection, more urgent in his good offices.
b. Of things: Pressing, urgent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > urgent
urgent1496
instant1585
pressing1609
rash1609
pressive1619
imperative1621
imperious1623
exigent1624
urging1647
emergent1706
high pressure1834
acute1846
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. xviii. 52 b To succour and supply the instant necessities which might happen.
1588 Queen Elizabeth I in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 139 Upon this instant extraordinarie occasion.
1642 Bp. J. Taylor Of Sacred Order Episcopacy (1647) 371 Instant necessity..hath ratified it.
1777 E. Burke Let. to Sheriffs Bristol 16 It would become every man's immediate and instant concern.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary III. iii. 253 I thought there was not such instant haste.
1856 J. H. Newman Callista 157 He has instant need of you.
II. Existing or following in time, and related uses.
2.
a. Now present, or present at the time defined; now (or then) existing or happening. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > [adjective]
present1340
nowa1393
presentary?a1425
unrun1474
modernc1485
hodiern?a1513
actual1525
modernal1542
instantc1550
this1582
immediate1605
current1608
nowadays1609
nowaday1632
hodiernal1656
living1659
running1659
daily1663
existent1676
existing1827
present-day1833
presential1878
today1908
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xiv. 95 Kyng alexander cam at that instant tyme.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 503 This Countries instant Shrieve.
a1687 E. Waller Wks. (1729) 246 Eternity has neither past Nor future..But is all instant.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 315 The lower race of animals, when satisfied for the instant moment, are perfectly happy.
1881 Daily Tel. 12 Feb. On the 12th of February—this instant Saturday.
b. Said of the current calendar month; now elliptical as in the 10th instant, i.e. the tenth day of the current month. Abbreviated inst.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a month or calendar month > [adjective] > calendar > current
instant1547
inst.1771
1547 in P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. (1864) III. 377 I have appointed friends to convene the 18th day of this instant month.
1583 T. Stocker tr. Tragicall Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Countries i. 15 The 20. or 21. of that instant.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. D5v On tuesday beeing the thirteenth of this instaunt.
1640–4 in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 510 The Message received from Your Majesty the seventh of this instant February.
1648 O. Cromwell Let. 18 Sept. in Writings & Speeches (1937) (modernized text) I. 653 We received yours from Falkirk of the 15th September instant.
1688 London Gaz. No. 2317/1 On the 8th Instant at 5 in the Morning, we discovered a Sail.
1708 A. Pope Corr. 28 Feb. (1956) I. 40 I have had yours of the 23d of this Instant.
1708 J. Swift Predict. for 1708 7 The Pope..will dye on the 11th Instant.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews II. iv. v. 195 On the —— of this instant October, being Sabbath-Day. View more context for this quotation
1817 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 32 47 The proprietor of the Courier, on the 2d instant, has these words.
1900 N.E.D. at Instant Mod. In my letter of the 15th inst.
3. Close at hand, impending, imminent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adjective] > imminent, near, or at hand
towardc890
comingOE
at handc1175
hendc1175
hendc1175
short?a1400
likec1425
near present?c1450
hangingc1503
instant?1520
neara1522
approachinga1525
imminent1528
provenient1554
threatened1567
near-threateninga1586
eminent1587
impendenta1592
sudden1597
ensuing1603
dependenta1616
pending1642
incumbent1646
early1655
fast-approaching1671
impendinga1686
incoming1753
pendent1805
proximatea1831
simmering1843
pending1850
invenient1854
looming1855
forthcoming1859
near-term1929
upcoming1959
?1520 A. Barclay tr. Sallust Cron. Warre agaynst Iugurth lxiii. f. 87v If I knewe without dout that our sure dystruction were instant.
1605 A. Willet Hexapla in Genesin 461 Feeling the houre of his death to be instant.
1662 P. Gunning Paschal or Lent-Fast 77 When now Lent was instant.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 1 Apr. 1/2 The Evil which to Men in other Stations may seem far distant, to him is instant, and ever before his Eyes.
1820 W. Scott Monastery I. iii. 126 Her mind being probably occupied by the instant danger.
1871 R. Browning Balaustion 34 The abrupt Fate's footstep instant now.
4. Following immediately.† a. Next in order of time, very next. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > [adjective] > succeeding or subsequent > immediately following in time
nextc1300
foremostc1330
nextmost1576
ensuing1611
instant1613
contiguous1622
near-following1625
1613 J. Marston & W. Barksted Insatiate Countesse v. Ij Vpon the instant morrow of her nuptials.
b. Succeeding or coming without any interval; immediate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adjective]
ferlyc893
cofc1000
swiftc1000
smarta1325
suddenc1390
undelayed1439
wightlaykec1450
short1480
present1489
indelayed1523
on or upon a (or the) sudden1558
immediate1569
instant1598
momentaneous1657
abrupt1725
presto1767
summary1771
momentary1799
pistolgraph1859
fast1863
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. iv. 20 I feare the power of Percy is too weake To wage an instant triall with the king. View more context for this quotation
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 241 The shame it selfe doth speake for instant remedie. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 210 Th' instant stroke of Death. View more context for this quotation
1749 T. Smollett Regicide v. ii. 68 Intelligence important, that demands His instant Ear.
1786 E. Burke Articles of Charge against W. Hastings in Wks. (1842) II. 160 For the sole purpose of creating an instant fortune for the said Sullivan.
1816 F. Accum Pract. Ess. Chem. Re-agents (1818) 164 An instant milkiness ensues.
1850 J. McCosh Method Divine Govt. (ed. 2) ii. ii. 167 A particular vital vessel bursts, and instant death follows.
1866 R. W. Dale Disc. Special Occasions iii. 77 The sailors were in dread of almost instant destruction.
1900 N.E.D. at Instant Mod. The application gave instant relief.
c. Of a processed food: that can be prepared for use immediately. Also transferred and figurative, hurriedly prepared or carried out, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food otherwise characterized > [adjective] > instant
instant1912
instantized1970
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adjective] > immediately carried out
indilatory1654
instant1912
instant-win1981
1912 Ladies' Home Jrnl. Oct. 71/4 (advt.) Instant Postum..is regular Postum in concentrated form—made in the cup—no boiling required.
1915 E. B. Holt Freudian Wish ii. 87 I wish I had..drunk less of that hot-wash that my wife calls instant coffee.
1924 Ladies' Home Jrnl. Oct. 198/1 G. Washington's Delicious Instant Coffee... The coffee ready to drink when dissolved in hot water.
1957 D. Karp Leave me Alone xi. 151 Your grand new world of jet airplanes, nylon stockings, frozen food, instant coffee and brain-washing.
1957 Amer. Speech 32 313 Instant lather..instant shaving lather.
1958 Woman 18 Oct. 4/3 In these days of ‘ready-mix’ cakes, ‘instant puddings’ and other time-saving boons to the busy housewife.
1959 News Chron. 26 Sept. 3/5 I tried the new instant tea... I measured out a half teaspoonful of the instant powder, poured on hot water and stirred in milk.
1959 News Chron. 30 Oct. 6/4 British food firms are being chary about introducing ‘instant meals’... Instant bread comes as small frozen pebble shapes which fluff up to fresh crisp rolls after a few minutes in the oven.
1961 H. Tracy Season of Mists vii. 84 Sit you down, and I'll make the coffee, nice real instant coffee, none of your messy old grounds.
1962 Listener 25 Jan. 185/1 Their habit of producing, on all sorts of occasions, bits of what may be called instant poetry.
1962 J. Terraine in Jrnl. Royal United Service Inst. May 140 There are all too many [historical works] which fall into the category of what I call ‘instant history’, rapidly composed on the strength of a very fresh approach to the subject, generally devoid of any true period sense, and loaded with comment from false premises.
1963 Sunday Times 17 Feb. 29/6 September 3 [sc. 1939] is the roundest of capsules: instant peace, instant war, instant history... Instant history may be surface-glossing, but it has a jerky, filmic excitement about it.
1963 Listener 7 Mar. 427/3 ‘This post-war propaganda, piling corpse on corpse, heaping horror on futility, seems bound to fail...’ Yet it is back with us now, in the hands of the ‘instant historians’.
1965 Hair Do July 57/1 Instant curls: for the woman who longs for short, casual curls..the brief luxurious wig is the perfect hair do.
1965 Punch 13 Oct. 552/3 A bumper pack of Instant Art for the..young executive—with money.
1966 Economist 9 Apr. 161/1 This phrase ‘hundred days’ is itself out of fashion, because ‘instant government’ is now condemned as a derogatory term.
1967 New Scientist 9 Feb. 352/1 The preparation of instant food is very simple in principle. It consists essentially of precooking the food..then proceeding to a complete or partial dehydration.
1967 Observer 26 Mar. 9 Music and ‘instant sex’ take subsidiary place to drugs as the real focus of the hippy sub~culture.
1967 U. Sedgwick My Learn-to-cook Bk. 56 Fruit is an instant food.
1969 New Yorker 29 Nov. 167/1 How could Agnew be so confident of the Register's objectivity and so certain that it would find the speech worthy of an editorial—tantamount to ‘instant analysis’.
1973 Times 22 Feb. 1/3 Rising demand for mueslis and instant porridges.
d. instant replay n. U.S. = action replay n. at action n. Compounds 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > record > recording or reproducing sound or visual material > [noun] > action or instance of replaying recording > specific
television replay1954
TV replay1955
action replay1970
instant replay1973
society > communication > broadcasting > television > [noun] > recorded material > playback of recorded material
instant replay1973
1973 Maclean's Feb. 80/2 TV instant replay multiplies analysis and assigns error: in the press boxes, after a goal has been scored, sports writers and sportscasters rush to the TV screen for the instant replay, usually shown in slow motion.
1985 N.Y. Times 23 Apr. c7/3 There are instant replays, and the running commentary that appears on screen for each play captures the poetry of baseball.
5. as adv. (poetic). Instantly, at once.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. v. 94 You my sinnowes, growe not instant old, But beare me swiftly vp. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 549 Instant without disturb they took Allarm. View more context for this quotation
a1763 W. Shenstone Wks. Verse & Prose (1764) I. 17 Instant a graceful form appear'd confest.
1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things i. 559 Its warmth we instant feel.
Draft additions June 2003
Of a lottery, game, contest, etc.: immediately or quickly revealing whether a prize has been won, occasionally by immediately providing the winner with the prize. Also spec., of a lottery: employing tickets which may be scratched, opened, etc., to reveal immediately whether a prize has been won; of or relating to such a lottery; designating such a ticket.
ΚΠ
1964 N.Y. Times 2 Aug. 61/1 The revenues include an unusual ‘instant lottery’ in which the player buys a one-franc (25-cent) ticket and finds out right away whether he won or lost.
1982 U.S. News & World Rep. 6 Dec. 12/3 In Alabama and Kentucky, Shell dealers offered instant giveaway games involving scratch cards.
2001 Sun 27 Jan. 23/4 Instant Millionaire tickets will go on sale at the end of April and will cost £2—twice as much as a normal scratchcard.
Draft additions June 2003
instant-win adj. (and n.) = instant adj.; also as n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adjective] > immediately carried out
indilatory1654
instant1912
instant-win1981
1981 Advertising Age 12 Oct. s10/5 Instant win games have demonstrated sufficient appeal to..make product managers rethink their..promotion plans.
1982 Washington Post 4 Aug. c5/2 The city's first instant-win lottery tickets will go on sale Aug. 25.
1996 Independent on Sunday 23 June (Business section) 8/1 He will also advertise an instant-win promotion that offers shoppers an opportunity to win a house... ‘It's not the first time we've run an instant win but it is a departure to use a personality.’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† instantv.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To urge, press, solicit, importune (a person); to ask for (a thing) urgently. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > urge or importune
depressc1400
nurnc1400
pressc1440
labourc1450
instancea1513
instanta1513
importune1530
to lie at, upon1535
apply1559
urge1568
importunate1574
ply1581
to put on ——?a1600
flagitate1623
besiege1712
earwig1804
bone1856
tout1920
S.O.S.a1936
opportune1941
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. ccxvii Ye kyng shalbe instauntid to geue yerely vnto his sayd brother, in recompencement of ye sayde duchy .xii. M. li.
1533–4 Act 25 Hen. VIII c. 22 §1 To besech and instant your highnes..to fore se and prouide for the perfit suretie..of your..succession.
1541 T. Paynell tr. Felicius Conspiracie of Catiline xi. f. 15v There was no strete..in all the citie, but Catiline instanted, prouoked, temted, and stered.
1599 E. Sandys Europæ Speculum (1632) 64 With..teares of love, instanting and importuning no other thing at their hands.
1687 N. Johnston Assurance Abbey & Church-lands 89 All the Bishops Instanted the Lords, that they would consent.
2. intransitive. To be close at hand, impend, draw near.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > future [verb (intransitive)] > be imminent
comeOE
nigha1225
to draw nearc1330
approachc1374
drawa1375
to stand ina1382
to stand ona1382
instand1382
to draw ona1450
proacha1450
to draw nigha1470
to fall at handa1535
to hang by (on, upon) a threada1538
instant1541
to prick fast upon1565
impend1674
simmer1703
depend1710
loom1827
to knock about1866
to come up1909
1541 T. Paynell tr. Felicius Conspiracie of Catiline xii. f. 17 The tyme instantynge to chose the consuls.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.1398
adj.adv.1477
v.a1513