Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IM-ME'DI-ATE, a. [Fr. immediat; It. immediato; L. in and medius, middle.]

1. Proximate; acting without a medium, or without the intervention of another cause or means; producing its effect by its own direct agency. An immediate cause is that which is exerted directly in producing its effect, in opposition to a mediate cause, or one more remote.
2. Not acting by second causes; as, the immediate will of God. Abbot.
3. Instant; present; without the intervention of time. We must have an immediate supply of bread. Immediate are my needs. Shak. Death – inflicted – by an immediate stroke. Milton.