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Where does the word "instant" come from? It comes from Latin instare, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "instant" come from? It comes from Latin instare, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Instant’s story begins in Latin: instare meant “to stand upon, to press urgently.” To stand upon, to press urgently, from in- (upon) and stare (to stand). It reached English by 1400s as instant. Settled as the English word for a very brief moment in time. Today, instant means a very brief moment in time, or happening immediately.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient instare "to stand upon, to press urgently", to stand upon, to press urgently, from in- (upon) and stare (to stand).
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s instant "a very brief moment in time", settled as the English word for a very brief moment in time.