Moment

Moment, mō′ment, n. moving cause or force: importance in effect: value, consequence: the smallest portion of time in which a movement can be made: an instant: the precise point of time, the right opportunity: (math.) an increment or decrement, an infinitesimal change in a varying quantity: (mech.) the moment of a force about a point is the product of the force and the perpendicular on its line of action from the point.—adj. Mō′mentany (Shak.), momentary.—adv. Mō′mentarily.—n. Mō′mentariness.—adj. Mō′mentary, lasting for a moment: done in a moment: short-lived.—adv. Mō′mently, for a moment: in a moment: every moment.—adj. Mōment′ous, of importance: of great consequence.—adv. Moment′ously.—ns. Moment′ousness; Moment′um, the quantity of motion in a body, measured by the product of the mass and the velocity of the moving body:—pl. Moment′a. [Fr.,—L. momentum, for movimentum—movēre, to move.]