Hypertext Webster Gateway: "imminent"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Imminent \Im"mi*nent\, a. [L. imminens, p. pr. of imminere to
project; pref. im- in + minere (in comp.) to jut, project.
See {Eminent}.]
1. Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending;
-- said especially of misfortune or peril. ``In danger
imminent.'' --Spenser.

2. Full of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous.

Hairbreadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach.
--Shak.

3. (With upon) Bent upon; attentive to. [R.]

Their eyes ever imminent upon worldly matters.
--Milton.

Syn: Impending; threatening; near; at hand.

Usage: {Imminent}, {Impending}, {Threatening}. Imminent is
the strongest: it denotes that something is ready to
fall or happen on the instant; as, in imminent danger
of one's life. Impending denotes that something hangs
suspended over us, and may so remain indefinitely; as,
the impending evils of war. Threatening supposes some
danger in prospect, but more remote; as, threatening
indications for the future.

Three times to-day You have defended me from
imminent death. --Shak.

No story I unfold of public woes, Nor bear
advices of impending foes. --Pope.

Fierce faces threatening war. --Milton.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

imminent
adj : close in time; about to occur; "retribution is at hand";
"some people believe the day of judgment is close at
hand"; "in imminent danger"; "his impending retirement"
[syn: {at hand(p)}, {close at hand(p)}, {impending}]


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