MOMENTARILY

momentarily, momently

(adverb) at any moment; “she will be with you momently”

momentarily, momently

(adverb) for an instant or moment; “we paused momentarily before proceeding”; “a cardinal perched momently on the dogwood branch”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adverb

momentarily (not comparable)

(manner) In a momentary manner; for a moment or instant.

(US, proscribed, duration) In a moment or very soon; any minute now, any time now.

Progressively; moment by moment.

Usage notes

Many speakers object to the use of momentarily in the sense of “in a moment” rather than “for a moment”, since this is inconsistent with the meaning of momentary; nonetheless, this use is quite common in North America, and is particularly associated with airlines, such as “we will be landing momentarily”. In place of momentarily, many speakers prefer the terms presently, soon or the phrase “in a moment”, for this sense of “in a moment”.

Synonyms

• (in a moment): presently, shortly, soon; see also soon

• (for a moment): briefly, temporarily; see also temporarily

• (moment by moment): incrementally, progressively, step by step; see also gradually

Source: Wiktionary

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Mo"men*ta*ri*ly, adv.

Definition: Every moment; from moment to moment. Shenstone.

MOMENTARY

Mo"men*ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. momentarius. See Moment.]

Definition: Done in a moment; continuing only a moment; lasting a very short time; as, a momentary pang. This momentary joy breeds months of pain. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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