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Webster 1913 Edition

Moment

Mo′ment

,
Noun.
[F.
moment
, L.
momentum
, for
movimentum
movement, motion, moment, fr.
movere
to move. See
Move
, and cf.
Momentum
,
Movement
.]
1.
A minute portion of time; a point of time; an instant;
as, at that very
moment
.
In a
moment
, in the twinkling of an eye.
1 Cor. xv. 52.
2.
Impulsive power; force; momentum.
The
moments
or quantities of motion in bodies.
Berkley.
Touch, with lightest
moment
of impulse,
His free will.
Milton.
3.
Importance, as in influence or effect; consequence; weight or value; consideration.
Matters of great
moment
.
Shakespeare
It is an abstruse speculation, but also of far less
moment
and consequence of us than the others.
Bentley.
4.
An essential element; a deciding point, fact, or consideration; an essential or influential circumstance.
5.
(Math.)
An infinitesimal change in a varying quantity; an increment or decrement.
[Obs.]
6.
(Mech.)
Tendency, or measure of tendency, to produce motion, esp. motion about a fixed point or axis.
Moment of a couple
(Mech.)
,
the product of either of its forces into the perpendicular distance between them.
–
Moment of a force
.
(Mech.)
(a)
With respect to a point
,
the product of the intensity of the force into the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of direction of the force
.
(b)
With respect to a line
,
the product of that component of the force which is perpendicular to the plane passing through the line and the point of application of the force, into the shortest distance between the line and this point
.
(c)
With respect to a plane that is parallel to the force
,
the product of the force into the perpendicular distance of its point of application from the plane.
–
Moment of inertia
,
of a rotating body, the sum of the mass of each particle of matter of the body into the square of its distance from the axis of rotation; – called also
moment of rotation
and
moment of the mass
.
–
Statical moment
,
the product of a force into its leverage; the same as
moment of a force
with respect to a point, line, etc.
–
Virtual moment
.
See under
Virtual
.
Syn. – Instant; twinkling; consequence; weight; force; value; consideration; signification; avail.

Webster 1828 Edition

Moment

MO'MENT

,
Noun.
[L. momentum. This word is contracted from motamentum, or some other word,the radical verb of which signified to move, rush, drive or fall suddenly, which sense gives that of force. The sense of an instant of time is from falling or rushing, which accords well with that of meet.]
1.
The most minute and indivisible part of time; an instant.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. 1 Cor.15.
2.
Force; impulsive power.
--Touch with lightest moment of impulse,
His free will.
Little used; but hence,
3.
Importance in influence or effect; consequence; weight or value.
It is an abstruse speculation, but also of far less moment to us than the others.

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