[ˈɪnst(ə)nt], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- happening or coming immediately
(e.g: the offence justified instant dismissal)

- urgent; pressing
(e.g: an instant desire to blame others when things go wrong)

- (in business letters) of the current month
(e.g: your letter of the 6th instant)

- of the present moment


Phrases:
- on the instant

Origin:
late Middle English (in instant, instant, instant): via Old French from Latin instant- ‘being at hand’, from the verb instare, from in- ‘in, at’ + stare ‘to stand’

[ˈɪnst(ə)nt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a precise moment of time
(e.g: come here this instant!)

- a very short time; a moment
(e.g: for an instant the moon disappeared)

- instant coffee


Phrases:
- on the instant

Origin:
late Middle English (in instant, instant, instant): via Old French from Latin instant- ‘being at hand’, from the verb instare, from in- ‘in, at’ + stare ‘to stand’