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imminent
5 dictionary results for: imminent
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
im·mi·nent       [im-uh-nuhnt] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.likely to occur at any moment; impending: Her death is imminent.
2.projecting or leaning forward; overhanging.

[Origin: 1520–30; < L imminent- (s. of imminéns), prp. of imminére to overhang, equiv. to im- im-1 + -min- from a base meaning “jut out, project, rise” (cf. eminent, mount2) + -ent- -ent]

im·mi·nent·ly, adverb
im·mi·nent·ness, noun

1. near, at hand. Imminent, Impending, Threatening all may carry the implication of menace, misfortune, disaster, but they do so in differing degrees. Imminent may portend evil: an imminent catastrophe, but also may mean simply “about to happen”: The merger is imminent. Impending has a weaker sense of immediacy and threat than imminent: Real tax relief legislation is impending, but it too may be used in situations portending disaster: impending social upheaval; to dread the impending investigation. Threatening almost always suggests ominous warning and menace: a threatening sky just before the tornado struck.
1. distant, remote.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
im·mi·nent       (ĭm'ə-nənt)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.   About to occur; impending: in imminent danger.


[Middle English iminent, from Old French imminent, from Latin imminēns, imminent-, present participle of imminēre, to overhang : in-, in; see in-2 + -minēre, to jut, threaten; see men-2 in Indo-European roots.]

im'mi·nent·ly adv., im'mi·nent·ness n.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
imminent 
1528, from L. imminentem (nom. imminens), prp. of imminere "to overhang, impend, be near," from in- "into" + minere "jut out," related to mons "hill" (see mount).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
imminent

adjective
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

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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