moment

noun

1. 1

   A particular point, or relatively small region. A particular point of space; a spot.

   ...over everything there lay a deposit of heavy white dust, which was only blown off one moment to thicken on another.

2. 2

   A particular point, or relatively small region. A particular point of time; an instant.

   Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.

3. 3

   A brief, unspecified amount of time.

   Wait a moment, while I lock the front door.

   Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps,[…], and the light of the reflector fell full upon her.

   Sophia broke down here. Even at this moment she was subconsciously comparing her rendering of the part of the forlorn bride with Miss Marie Lohr's.

   Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.

4. 4

   figurativeWeight or importance.

   In deep designs, in matter of great moment, / No less importing than our general good.

   However, upon a ſtrict Review, I blotted out ſeveral Paſſages of leſs Moment which were in my firſt Copy, for fear of being cenſured as tedious and trifling, whereof Travellers are often, perhaps not without Juſtice, accuſed.

   The document in question is of such immense importance that its publication might very easily – I might almost say probably – lead to European complications of the utmost moment.

   As to any suggestion that Stroudley's engines were not free-running at high speed, this was of little moment with 60 m.p.h. laid down as the limit at that time.

5. 5

   historicalA definite period of time, specifically one-tenth of a point, or one-fortieth or one-fiftieth of an hour.

6. 6

   informalA petit mal episode; such a spell.

7. 7

   A fit; a brief tantrum.

8. 8

   An infinitesimal change in a varying quantity; an increment or decrement.

9. 9

   A quantitative measure of the shape of a set of points.

   If the points represent mass, then the zeroth moment is the total mass, the first moment divided by the total mass is the center of mass, and the second moment is the rotational inertia.

10. 10

    An embarrassing event, supposed to be characteristic of some person, group, or situation.

    woman moment

    Reddit moment

11. 11

    The current center of public attention and awe; the most important celebrity in their prime.

    She’s got a point. She’s an icon, she is a legend, and she is the moment. Now, come on, now. You got to give it up to Kim.

12. 12

    Variant of moment of forceEllipsis of moment of force.

Forms

plural

moments