WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Im"mi*nent
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. imminens, p. pr. of imminere to project; pref. im- in + minere (in comp.) to jut, project. See Eminent.]
Definition : 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913