immediate
adjUK /ɪˈmiː.dɪət/ · CA, US /ɪˈmi.di.ɪt/
Etymology From Old French immediat (French immédiat), borrowed from Late Latin immediātus (“without in-between, moderation”), from Latin in + mediātus, perfect passive participle of mediō (“to halve, to be in the middle”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from medius (“middle”). By surface analysis, im- + mediate.
Happening right away, instantly, with no delay.
- Computer users these days expect immediate results when they click on a link.
- Assemble we immediate council.c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:
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- When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him.1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
Very close; direct or adjacent.
- immediate family; immediate vicinity
- You are the most immediate to our throne,c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
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- So long as he concerns himself with immediate issues he is rewarded with influence, material success, and popularity with those who up to a point share his general outlook.1949, F. A. Hayek, “The Intellectuals and Socialism”, in University of Chicago Law Review, volume 16, number 3, Chicago: University of Chicago, →DOI, page 429:
Manifestly true; requiring no argument.
Computer, Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Science, Sciences Of an instruction operand Embedded as part of the instruction itself, rather than stored elsewhere (such as a register or memory location).
Government, Military, Politics, War Used to denote that a transmission is urgent.
- Bravo Three, this Bravo Six. Immediate! We are coming under fire from the north from an unknown enemy, over!
Government, Military, Politics, War An artillery fire mission modifier for two types of fire mission to denote an immediate need for fire: Immediate smoke, all guns involved must reload smoke and fire. Immediate suppression, all guns involved fire the rounds currently loaded and then switch to high explosive with impact fused (unless fuses are specified).
- Hotel Two-Niner, this is Bravo Six. Immediate suppression at grid November-Kilo four-five-three two-one-five. Danger Close. I authenticate Golf Echo, over.
- Synonyms
- instant, present, close, nearby, self-evident, indubitable
- Derived terms
- immediate family, immediately, immediate mode, immediateness, immediate pursuit, immediate real-time, immediatism, immediatist, immediative, nonimmediate, unimmediate
- Related terms
- immediacy