Im"mi*nent (?), a. [L. imminens, p. pr. of imminere to project; pref. im- in + minere (in comp.) to jut, project. See Eminent.]
1. Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand;
impending; -- said especially of misfortune or peril. "In danger imminent."
Spenser.
2. Full
of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous.
Hairbreadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach.
Shak. 3. (With
upon) Bent upon; attentive to. [R.]
Their eyes ever imminent upon worldly matters.
Milton.
Syn. -- Impending; threatening; near; at hand. -- Imminent, Impending, Threatening. Imminent is the strongest: it denotes that something is ready to fall or happen on the
instant; as, in imminent danger of one's life.
Impending denotes that something hangs
suspended over us, and may so remain indefinitely; as, the impending evils of war. Threatening
supposes some danger in prospect, but more remote; as, threatening indications for the future.
Three times to-day
You have defended me from imminent death.
Shak. No story I unfold of public woes,
Nor bear advices of impending foes.
Pope. Fierce faces threatening war.
Milton.
Hear it pronounced