1. (n.) A brief duration; a split second; a portion of time too short to be estimated; also, any particular moment.

2. (a.) Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest.

3. (a.) Closely pressing or impending in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay.

4. (a.) Present; current.

5. (adv.) Instantly.

6. (n.) 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, a., 3.