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′men tar in e .— 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′ousne ; Moment′um , the quantity of motion in a body, measured by the product of the ma and the velocity of the moving body:— pl. Moment′a . [Fr.,—L. momentum , for movimentum — movēre , to move.]