instant
/ˈɪnstənt/·인스턴트·noun
a precise moment in time; happening immediately
LatinCEFR B1
Root
Latin 'in-' (upon) + 'stare' (to stand)
Latin instans (standing upon, present) → Old French instant → English instant (14th c.)
In a word
Latin in- (upon) + stare (to stand). The time that 'stands right upon you' is now. The abstract noun "moment" is an action in Latin — 'time is standing upon me'. The family — instant (standing upon now), constant (standing together = unchanging), distant (standing apart). Even in "instant noodles," the Latin posture of standing is still alive.
Examples
In that instant, everything changed.
She gave an instant reply.
Instant noodles are popular in Korea.
Related
instantlyinstantaneousinstanceconstantdistant