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adj. 1. Occurring at once; happening without delay: needed immediate treatment for the injuries. 2. a. Of or near the present time: in the immediate future. b. Of or relating to the present time and place; current: "It is probable that, apart from the most immediate, pragmatic, technical revisions, the writer's effort to detach himself from his work is quixotic" (Joyce Carol Oates). 4. Next in line or relation: is an immediate successor to the president of the company. 5. Acting or occurring without the interposition of another agency or object; direct: an immediate cause. [Middle English immediat, from Old French, from Late Latin immediātus : Latin in-, not; see IN-1 + Latin mediātus, past participle of mediāre, to be in the middle; see MEDIATE.] im·medi·ate·ness n. |
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