1. A point in duration; a moment; a portion of time too short to be estimated; also, any particular moment. "There is scarce an instant between their flourishing and their not being." (Hooker)

2. A day of the present or current month; as, the sixth instant; an elliptical expression equivalent to the sixth of the month instant, i. E, the current month. See Instant.

Synonyms: Moment, flash, second.

Origin: F. Instant, fr. L. Instans standing by, being near, present. See Instant.

(01 Mar 1998)