Immediate

At once. "Though in strictness it excludes all mean times, it shall be construed such convenient time as is reasonably requisite for doing the thing." 2 Lev. 77. It is stronger than the phrase "within a reasonable time," and implies prompt, vigorous action, without any delay. L. R. 4 Q. B. 469. Acting with nothing interposed or between, or without the intervention of another object as a cause, means, medium or condition; producing its effect by direct agency. 60 111. App. 108.

Atto Ume. Present; without delay or postponement. Strictly it implies not deferred by any lapse of time, but as usually employed, it is rather within reasonable time having due regard to the nature and circumstances of the case. This word and immediately (q. v.) are of no very definite signification and are much dependent on the context. In legal proceedings they do not impart the exclusion of any interval of t^me; Howell v. Gaddis, 31 N. J. L. 313. As to immediate delivery, see Neldon v. Smith, 86 N. J. L. 148. “Immediate” notice may be construed as meaning “reasonable notice;” Mc Farland v. Acc- Ass’n, 124 Mo. 204, 27 S. W. 436. As to place, etc. Not separated by any intervening space, cause, right, object, or relation. See 7 Mann. & G. 493; Trask v. Ins. Co., 29 Pa. 198, 72 Am. Dec. 622; Richardson V. End, 43 Wls. 316; Hepler v. State, id. 479; Immediately; Fobtuwith. As to descent. Judge Story says it may be mediate or immediate with respect to the estate or right, or with respect to the pedigree or degrees of consanguinity; Levy v. Mc Cartee, 6 Pet. (D. S.) 112, 8 L. Ed. 834.

1. Present; at once; without delay; not deferred by any interval of time.

In this sense, the word, without any very precise signification, denotes that action is or must be taken either instantly or without any considerable loss of time. Immediately does not, in legal proceedings, necessarily import the exclusion of any interval of time. It is a word of no very definite signification, and is much in subjection to its grammatical connections. Howell v. Gaddis, 31 N. J. Law, 313.
2. Not separated in respect to place; not separated by the intervention of any intermediate object, cause, relation, or right. Thus we speak of an action as prosecuted for the "immediate benefit" of A., of a devise as made to the "immediate issue" of B., etc.

— Immediate cause. The last of a series or chain of causes tending to a given result, and which, of itself, and without the intervention of any further cause, directly produces the result or event. A cause may be immediate ini this sense, and yet not "proximate;" and conversely, the proximate cause (that which directly and efficientlv brings about the result) may not be immediate. The familiar illustration is that of a drunken man falling into the water and drowning. His intoxication is the proximate cause of his death, if it can be snid that he would not have fallen into the water when sober; but the immediate cause of death is suffocation by drowning. See Davis v. Standish. 26 Hun (N. Y.), 615 ; Deisenrieter v. Kraus-Merkel Malting Co... 07 Wis. 279. 72 N. W. 735. Compare Longahaugh v. Railroad Co., 9 Nev. 271. See, also, Proximate.

— Immediate descent. See Descent.

I.

In old English law. Immediately; without any thing intermediate.

1. Present; at once; without delay; not deferred by any interval of time.

In this sense, the word, without any very precise signification, denotes that action is or must be taken either instantly or without any considerable loss of time, Immediately does not, in legal proceedings, necessarily import the exclusion of any interval of time. Itis a word of no very definite signification, and is much in subjection to its grammutical connections. 31 N. J. Law, 313. 2, Not separated in respect to place; not separated by the intervention of any intermediate object, cause, relation, or right. Thus we speak of an action as prosecuted for the “immediate benefit” of A., of a devise as made to the “immediate issue” of B., ete.

Direct; present; near — in time, or kinship. That which is produced directly by the act to which it is ascribed, without the intervention or agency of any distinct, intermediate cause: as, immediate interest. In the law of self-defense, "immediate" generally signifies present in time and place. Thus "immediate danger" of losing life or of sustaining great bodily injury, means that the danger is then and there present and the injury apparently about to be inflicted. "Immediate delivery," among dealers in coal, means a delivery within the present or, in cases, within the succeeding month. An action is said to be prosecuted for the immediate (direct) benefit of a person; and devises are made to immediate issue. Immediately. Within reasonable time. Never, or very rarely, employed to designate an exact portion of time. Compare Forthwith.