inst
Definition
- Adjective: An abbreviation for "instant," meaning in or of the current calendar month. It is used in formal or business correspondence to refer to a date within the present month.
Usage
- This term is considered formal, dated, and is primarily used in written business or legal contexts. It follows the day of the month (e.g., "the 10th inst.").
- It is used to avoid repeating the name of the month, which is already understood from the context of the letter's date or the ongoing correspondence.
Examples
- Adjective:
- We acknowledge receipt of your inquiry dated the 15th inst. (We acknowledge receipt of your inquiry dated the 15th of this month.)
- Please remit payment by the 30th inst. (Please send payment by the 30th of this month.)
- Thank you for your letter of the 5th inst. (Thank you for your letter dated the 5th of this month.)
Advanced Usage
- "the ... inst.": The standard construction. The word "instant" (or its abbreviation) functions adjectivally after the ordinal date.
- The committee will meet on the 22nd inst. to review the proposal.
- This term is often contrasted with "ult." (for , meaning "of the last month") and "prox." (for , meaning "of the next month"), though "ult." and "prox." are now even more archaic.
Variants and Related Words
- Instant (adj): The full, unabbreviated form of "inst.," with the same specific meaning in formal correspondence. In general modern English, "instant" more commonly means "immediate" or "happening suddenly."
- Current (adj): Belonging to the present time; of the present month. A more modern and common synonym in business contexts (e.g., "your letter of the 10th of the current month").
Synonyms
- Current (as in "the current month")
- Of this month
Notes on Usage
- The use of "inst." is largely obsolete in modern everyday English and even in most contemporary business communication. It is recommended to use the full name of the month (e.g., "May 10th") for clarity.
- You may encounter it in historical documents, very formal traditional correspondence, or certain legal contexts.
Adjective
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in or of the present month
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your letter of the 10th inst
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