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1. A very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
   - blink of an eye, flash, heartbeat, jiffy, split second, trice, twinkling, wink, New York minute [US], jiff
    
2. A particular point in time
   "the instant he arrived the party began";
   - moment, minute, second

1. Occurring with no delay
   "instant gratification";
   - instantaneous
    
2. In or of the present month
   "your letter of the 10th instant";
   - inst
    
3. Demanding attention
   "an instant need";
   - clamant, crying, exigent, insistent

Derived forms: instants

See also: fast, imperative, present

Type of: bit, minute, mo, moment, point, point in time, second

Encyclopedia: Instant