instantaneously
瞬時に
解説 Definition
瞬間的に、ほぼ同時に、または測定できないほど短い時間で何かが起こることを意味します。即座に、一瞬のうちに発生する様子を表現します。
This adverb means in a way that happens immediately, with no noticeable delay. It is used when something changes or happens at once. It is more formal than words like "instantly" or "right away."
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず中核の instant「即時の」を押さえると覚えやすいです。instant coffee の instant と同じ語で、「待ち時間がほぼない」感覚があります。そこから instantaneous は「瞬間的な」、-ly が付いた instantaneously は「瞬時に」という副詞。immediately が「すぐに」なら、instantaneously はさらに時間差ゼロに近い響きです。respond instantaneously, be transmitted instantaneously のように、反応・伝達・変化が一瞬で起こる場面と結びつけると定着します。
Start with `instant`, the same word you know from `instant coffee`. Then add `-aneous` to make the adjective `instantaneous`, and `-ly` to make the adverb. It feels even faster than `immediately`, almost with no time gap at all.
例文
The explosion happened instantaneously, leaving no time for escape.
その爆発は瞬時に起こり、逃げる時間がありませんでした。
The alarm system activated instantaneously when the sensor detected motion.
センサーが動きを検出したとき、警報システムは瞬時に起動しました。
The lights turned off instantaneously when the power went out.
電力が失われたとき、ライトは瞬時に消えました。
instantaneously の類義語・関連語
紛らわしい語
instantaneously の語源・成り立ち Etymology
instantaneouslyはinstant + -lyが核で、instantはラテン語instare「そばに立つ」由来、in-「上に」+ sta-「立つ」と分けられます。出来事が目の前に立つ感覚から「瞬時に」となり、instanceやsubstanceにも同じsta-が見えます。
"Instantaneously" is built from "instant" and the adverb ending "-ly." "Instant" came through French from Latin "instans," from "instare," meaning "to stand upon or be close at hand." The idea was of something being right there in front of you, which led to the sense of happening at once; related English words include "instance" and "substance," which share the old root linked to standing.
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