moment: In a moment he was gone.
second: Within seconds the other soldiers began firing too.
flash: It was done in a flash.
split second: Her gaze met Michael's for a split second. ADJ 4
immediate: These tragic incidents have had an immediate effect.
prompt: It is not too late, but prompt action is needed.
instantaneous: The bitter wind brought instantaneous tears to his eyes.
in|stan|ta|neous / I nstənte I niəs/ ADJ Something that is instantaneous happens immediately and very quickly. □ Death was instantaneous because both bullets hit the heart. ● in|stan|ta|neous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Airbags inflate instantaneously on impact.
i n|stant me s|sag|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Instant messaging is a form of written communication that allows you to send messages from one computer to another. The message appears immediately on the screen of the computer you send it to, provided the computer is using the service. The abbreviation IM is also used. □ They keep in contact through instant messaging.
i n|stant re |play (instant replays ) N‑COUNT An instant replay is a repeated showing, usually in slow motion, of an event that has just been on television. [AM ] in BRIT, use action replay
in|stead ◆◆◇ / I nste d/
1 PHRASE If you do one thing instead of another, you do the first thing and not the second thing, as the result of a choice or a change of behaviour. □ They raised prices and cut production, instead of cutting costs. □ Instead of going to work thinking that it will be totally boring, try to be positive.
2 ADV If you do not do something, but do something else instead , you do the second thing and not the first thing, as the result of a choice or a change of behaviour. □ I decided to forget about dieting all the time and eat normally instead.
in|step / I nstep/ (insteps ) N‑COUNT Your instep is the middle part of your foot, where it arches upwards.
in|sti|gate / I nst I ge I t/ (instigates , instigating , instigated ) VERB Someone who instigates an event causes it to happen. □ [V n] Jenkinson instigated a refurbishment of the old gallery. ● in|sti|ga|tion / I nst I ge I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The talks are taking place at the instigation of Germany.
in|sti|ga|tor / I nst I ge I tə r / (instigators ) N‑COUNT The instigator of an event is the person who causes it to happen. □ [+ of ] He was accused of being the main instigator of the coup.
in|stil / I nst I l/ (instils , instilling , instilled ) in AM, use instill VERB If you instil an idea or feeling in someone, especially over a period of time, you make them think it or feel it. □ [V n + in/into ] They hope that their work will instil a sense of responsibility in children. □ [V n] The motive of the executions would be to instil fear.
in|stinct / I nst I ŋkt/ (instincts )
1 N‑VAR Instinct is the natural tendency that a person or animal has to behave or react in a particular way. □ I didn't have as strong a maternal instinct as some other mothers. □ He always knew what time it was, as if by instinct.
2 N‑COUNT [also N to-inf] If you have an instinct for something, you are naturally good at it or able to do it. □ [+ for ] Farmers are increasingly losing touch with their instinct for managing the land.
3 N‑VAR [usu with poss, oft N to-inf] If it is your instinct to do something, you feel that it is right to do it. □ I should've gone with my first instinct, which was not to do the interview.
4 N‑VAR [oft N that] Instinct is a feeling that you have that something is the case, rather than an opinion or idea based on facts. □ He seems so honest and genuine and my every instinct says he's not.
in|stinc|tive / I nst I ŋkt I v/ ADJ An instinctive feeling, idea, or action is one that you have or do without thinking or reasoning. □ It's an absolutely instinctive reaction–if a child falls you pick it up. ● in|stinc|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Jane instinctively knew all was not well with her 10-month-old son.
in|stinc|tual / I nst I ŋktʃuəl/ ADJ An instinctual feeling, action, or idea is one based on instinct. [WRITTEN ] □ The relationship between a parent and a child is instinctual and stems from basic human nature.
in|sti|tute ◆◆◇ / I nst I tjuːt, [AM ] -tuːt/ (institutes , instituting , instituted )
1 N‑COUNT An institute is an organization set up to do a particular type of work, especially research or teaching. You can also use institute to refer to the building the organization occupies. □ …an elite research institute devoted to computer software.
2 VERB If you institute a system, rule, or course of action, you start it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] We will institute a number of measures to better safeguard the public. SYNONYMS institute NOUN 1
establishment: …a scientific research establishment.
body: …the Chairman of the police representative body, the Police Federation.
organization: Most of these specialized schools are provided by voluntary organizations.
institution: …the Institution of Civil Engineers.
association: Research associations are often linked to a particular industry.
in|sti|tu|tion ◆◆◇ / I nst I tjuː ʃ ə n, [AM ] -tuː -/ (institutions )
1 N‑COUNT An institution is a large important organization such as a university, church, or bank. □ The Hong Kong Bank is Hong Kong's largest financial institution.