In″stant (?), a. [L. instans, -antis, p. pr. of instare to stand upon, to press upon; pref. in- in, on + stare to stand: cf. F. instant. See Stand.]
1. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Rom. xii. 12.
I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation. Carlyle.
2. Closely pressing or impending in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay.
Impending death is thine, and instant doom. Prior.
3. Present; current.
The instant time is always the fittest time. Fuller.
☞ The word in this sense is now used only in dates, to indicate the current month; as, the tenth of July instant.