ˈməumənt n. 1 a
very brief portion of
time; an
instant. 2 a
short period of time (wait a moment) (see
also MINUTE(1)). 3 an
exact or
particular point of time (at last
the moment arrived; I
came the moment
you called). 4
importance (of no
great moment). 5
Physics & Mech. etc. a the
turning effect produced by a force
acting at a
distance on an
object. b
this effect expressed as the
product of the force
and the distance
from its line of
action to a point. øat the moment at this time;
now. in a moment 1 very
soon. 2
instantly.
man (or
woman etc.) of the moment the
one of importance at the time in
question. moment of
inertia Physics the
quantity by
which the
angular acceleration of a
body must be multiplied to
give corresponding
torque. moment of
truth a time of
crisis or test (orig. the
final sword-thrust in a bullfight).
not for a (or one) moment
never; not at
all. this moment
immediately; at
once (come
here this moment). [ME f. OF f. L
momentum: see MOMENTUM]
