Definitions
A very short moment, or something happening immediately.
Word origin
From Middle English instant (“infinitely short period of time”), from Old French instant (“assiduous, at hand”, adjective), from Latin īnstāns, īnstantis (“present, pressing, urgent”, literally “standing near”), present active participle of īnstō (“to stand upon, be nearby”), from in- (“after”) + stō (“to stand”). Compare Old English instede (“immediately, on the spot, at once”). More at in, stand.
Used in a sentence
“She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.”
“Thy life is long, Eternity is short. So short that, shouldst thou die and Eternity should pass, and after the passing of Eternity thou shouldst live again, thou wouldst say: ‘I closed mine eyes but for an instant.’”
“The instant the alarm went off, he fled the building.”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer2 curated clues
01“Very short moment”7 letters
02“Immediate moment”7 letters
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