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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Instance

In'stance, n.

noun

n. [Fr. instance, Pr. instancia, instanssa, Sp. instancia, It. instanzia, instanza, istanzia, istanza, Lat. instantia, from instans. See INSTANT.]

  1. The quality or act of being instant or pressing; the act of urging on; urgency; solicitation; application. “Matters of instance.” Reynolds. “And as readily undertook at her instance to restore them.” W. Scott.
  2. That which is instant or urgent; impelling motive. [Obs.]

The instances that second marriage move Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. Shak. 3. Occurrence; occasion; order of occurrence. These seem as if, in the time of Edward I., they were drawn up in the form of a law, in the first instance. Hale.

  1. That which offers itself as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; example. “Most remarkable instances of suffering.” Atterbury.
  2. Process of a suit. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

Causes of instance, those which proceed at the solicitation of some party. Halifax.—For instance, by way of example or illustration.—Instance Court (Law), the Court of Admiralty acting within its ordinary jurisdiction, as distinguished from its action as a prize court. Kent. Bouvier. Syn.—Example; case. See EXAMPLE.

In'stance, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. INSTANCED (ĭn'stanst); p. pr. & vb. n. INSTANCING.] To mention as an example or case. I shall not instance an abstruse author. Milton.

In’stancē, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To give an example or case; to seek or find illustration. [Obs. or rare.]

This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too. Bp. Taylor.

Instance in, to give as an instance. [Obs.] “I need not instance in the habitual intemperance of rich tables.” Bp. Taylor.