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n. 1. A brief, indefinite interval of time. 2. a. A specific point in time, especially the present time: He is not here at the moment. b. A point in time that is gratifying or noteworthy: Even working on a dictionary has its moments. c. An occasion affording an opportunity: viewed the blunder as a teachable moment. 3. A particular period of importance, influence, or significance in a series of events or developments: a great moment in history; waiting for her big moment. 4. Outstanding significance or value; importance: a discovery of great moment. 5. A brief period of time that is characterized by a quality, such as excellence, suitability, or distinction: a lackluster performance that nevertheless had its moments. 6. Philosophy a. An essential or constituent element, as of a complex idea. b. A phase or aspect of a logically developing process. 7. Abbr. M Physics a. The product of a quantity, such as force or mass, and its perpendicular distance from a reference point. b. The tendency to cause rotation about a point or axis. 8. Statistics The expected value of a positive integer power of a random variable. The first moment of a random variable is the mean of its probability distribution. Synonyms: moment, instant, minute1, second1, jiffy, flash These nouns denote a brief interval of time. A moment is an indeterminately short but significant period: I'll be with you in a moment. Instant is a period of time almost too brief to detect; it implies haste: He hesitated for just an instant. Minute is often interchangeable with moment and second with instant: The alarm will ring any minute. I'll be back in a second. Jiffy and flash are somewhat informal and usually combine with in a; in a jiffy means in a short space of time, while in a flash suggests the almost imperceptible duration of a flash of light: He went to the store but will be back in a jiffy. She finished the job in a flash. See Also Synonyms at importance. |
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