immediate

Main Entry:: im·me·di·ate
Pronunciation:: \i-ˈmē-dē-ət, British often -ˈmē-jit\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English immediat, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin immediatus, from Latin in- + Late Latin mediatus intermediate — more at mediate
Date:: 15th century

1 a: acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : direct <the immediate cause of death> b: present to the mind independently of other states or factors <immediate awareness> c: involving or derived from a single premise <an immediate inference>2: being next in line or relation <the immediate family>3 a: existing without intervening space or substance <brought into immediate contact> b: being near at hand <the immediate neighborhood>4 a: occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss or interval of time : instant <an immediate need> b (1): near to or related to the present <the immediate past> (2): of or relating to the here and now : current <too busy with immediate concerns to worry about the future>5: directly touching or concerning a person or thing <the child's immediate world is the classroom>

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