Definition of: immediately

(i·mē′dē·it·lē) adverb
1. In an immediate manner; without lapse of time; instantly; at once.
2. Without the intervention of anything; directly.
—conj. As soon as. Synonyms (adverb): directly, forthwith, instanter, instantly, now, presently, straightway. Immediately primarily signifies without the intervention of anything as a medium, hence without the intervention of any, even the briefest, interval or lapse of time. Directly, which once meant with no intervening time, now means after some little while; presently no longer means in this very present, but before very long. Even immediately is sliding from its instantaneousness, so that we are fain to substitute at once, instantly, etc., when we would make promptness emphatic.