eminent
Syllabification: (em·i·nent)
Pronunciation: /ˈemənənt/
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Definition of eminent
adjective
Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin eminent- 'jutting, projecting', from the verb eminere
A trio of frequently confused words is eminent, imminent, and immanent. Eminent means ‘outstanding, famous’: the book was written by an eminent authority on folk art. Imminent means ‘about to happen’: people brushed aside the possibility that war was imminent. Immanent, often used in religious or philosophical contexts, means ‘inherent’: he believed in the immanent unity of nature taught by the Hindus.