instancen.

Brit.

/ˈɪnst(ə)ns/, U.S.

/ˈɪnst(ə)ns/

Forms: Middle English–1500s instaunce, Middle English instauns, Middle English–1500s instans, Middle English– instance.

Etymology: < French instance (13th cent. in Hatzfeld & Darmesteter) eagerness, anxiety, solicitation, a judicial process, a new argument rebutting the reply to a former argument, formerly also an instant of time, < Latin instāntia (1) a being present, presence, (2) urgency, earnestness in supplication, (3) a pleading or process in a court of justice (Ulpian), (4) in medieval Scholastic Latin an objection to a general statement, an instance to the contrary, translating Greek ἔνστασις (Buridan, c1350, In Metaphysicen Aristotelis Quæstiones: see Prantl): < instānt-em instant adj.

I. Urgency; pressure; urging influence.

a. Urgency in speech or action; urgent entreaty, solicitation; earnestness; persistence. archaic, except in at the instance of (a person), at the solicitation, suit, instigation, or suggestion of.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > [phrase] > at the suggestion of

at the instance ofc1340

the mind > will > decision > perseverance or persistence > [noun] > insistence

instancec1340

insistence1611

insistency1859

the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > exhortation

admonishmentc1275

instancec1340

exhortationc1384

exhortc1475

enhortment1477

enhorting1483

exhorting1490

adhortation1536

hortationc1540

exhortary1584

urging1615

cohortation1642

exhortancea1662

adjuration1782

evangelism1908

the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty > importunity or urgency

instancec1340

importunityc1425

instancy1515

importunateness?1526

importunacy1548

importancea1555

importancy1576

opportunitya1586

urgencec1592

urgency1611

clamorousnessa1617

pressingness1661

precariousness1666

supplicancy1728

beseechingness1863

imploringness1863

pleadingness1866

demandingness1930

c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 26 At þe prayere and instaunce of oþer.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Judith iv. 8 Al the puple criede to the Lord with gret instaunce.

a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 137 The kyng, compellid..on þe oþir party be instauns of þe lordes.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Eph. vi. 18 Watch thervnto with all instance and supplicacion.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 23 b Declaryng unto them..that at the instaunce and request of [etc.].

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 31 The instance and unweariednesse of the besieging army hath battered downe the forts.

1667 Bp. J. Taylor 2nd Pt. Dissuasive from Popery ii. iv. 86 The French Embassador..made instance for restitution of the Chalice to the Laity.

1770 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xxxvi. 61 The unhappy man, who yields at last to such personal instance and solicitation.

1851 R. Hussey Rise Papal Power i. 29 The Emperor, at the Pope's instance summoned Flavianus to Rome.

1866 D. Greenwell Ess. 175 The reverend gentleman labours his point with strong instance and perseverance.

†b. rarely at (in) the instance of (a thing). Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 219 b/1 Wherfore mayst not thou atte instaunce of my merytes and prayers be meued to pennaunce.

1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. lvi. [lviii.] 195 I praye you, in the instaunce of loue and peas, to conuey me to speke with the kynge.

†c. plural. Urgent entreaties, repeated solicitation. [Compare French instances.] Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty > entreaties

moana1325

instances1647

urgencies1823

1647 C. Cotterell & W. Aylesbury tr. E. C. Davila Hist. Civill Warres France ii. 68 To satisfie their instances and complaints.

1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. x. 23 The Parliament made many sharp instances ‘that the King might be deliver'd into their hands’.

1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Antiq. Jews iv. vi, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 105 At the earnest instances and fervent intreaties of Balak.

1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire IV. xxxvii. 273 Tiberius..thought it becoming in him to write to the emperor in intercession for her; but his instances were sternly rejected.

†2. Something which urges or impels; impelling motive; cause. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > cause or reason > [noun] > reason or ground

achesounc1230

anchesouna1250

reasona1250

groundc1275

matter1340

purposec1350

cause1413

quarrel1476

actiona1500

subject1577

spring of action1583

qualitya1586

inducement1593

place1593

theme1594

instance1597

motive1605

impulsivea1628

justifiera1635

foundation1641

rise1641

plummet1679

mainspring1695

the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > that which incites or instigates

prickleOE

pritchOE

alighting1340

brodc1375

bellowsc1386

pricka1387

motivec1390

prompting1402

preparativec1450

stirmentc1460

incentive?a1475

fomenta1500

farda1522

instigation1526

pointing1533

swinge1548

spur1551

whetstone1551

goad1567

promptitude1578

alarm1587

inducement1593

solicitor1594

incitement1596

inflammation1597

instance1597

excitement1604

moving spirit1604

heart-blood1606

inflamer1609

rouser1611

stimulator1614

motioner1616

incensivea1618

incitative1620

incitation1622

whettera1625

impulsivea1628

excitation1628

incendiary1628

dispositive1629

fomentationa1631

switch1630

stirrer1632

irritament1634

provocative1638

impetus1641

driving force1642

driving power1642

engagement1642

firer1653

propellant1654

fomentary1657

impulse1660

urgency1664

impeller1686

fillip1699

shove1724

incitive1736

stimulative1747

bonus1787

stimulus1791

impellent1793

stimulant1794

propulsion1800

instigant1833

propulsive1834

motive power1836

evoker1845

motivity1857

afflatus1865

flip1881

urge1882

agent provocateur1888

will to power1896

a shot in the arm1922

motivator1929

driver1971

co-driver1993

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iii. ii. 22 Tell him his feares are shallow, wanting instance .

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 173 The instances that second marriage moue Are base respects of thrift, but none of loue.

1665 J. Evelyn Let. 16 June in Diary & Corr. (1852) III. 157 Your letter..imparted to us that most glorious victory..: his Royal Highness being safe, becomes a double instance of rejoicing to us.

II. Instant time.

†3. A being present, presence; the present time.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > [noun]

instancec1374

nowa1393

presenta1425

nowadays?c1425

the time1484

presentens1509

here1608

present tense1630

now1633

the now1720

day1766

today1831

this day and age1832

of the period1859

nowaday1886

these days1936

c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr.) v. pr. vi. 135 Þou ne shalt nat demyn it as prescience of things to comyn, but þou shal demyn it moore ryhtfully, þat it is science of presence, or of Instaunce.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 83 The examples Of euery minutes instance (present now,) Hath put vs in these ill-beseeming armes.

†4. An instant, a moment. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > moment or instant

hand-whileOE

prinkOE

start-while?c1225

twinkling1303

rese?c1335

prick1340

momenta1382

pointa1382

minutea1393

instant1398

braida1400

siquarea1400

twink14..

whip?c1450

movement1490

punct1513

pissing whilea1556

trice1579

turning of a hand1579

wink1585

twinklec1592

semiquaver1602

punto1616

punctilio of time1620

punctum1620

breathing1625

instance1631

tantillation1651

rapc1700

crack1725

turning of a straw1755

pig's whisper1780

jiffy1785

less than no time1788

jiff1797

blinka1813

gliffy1820

handclap1822

glimpsea1824

eyewink1836

thought1836

eye-blink1838

semibreve1845

pop1847

two shakes of a lamb's taila1855

pig's whistle1859

time point1867

New York minute1870

tick1879

mo?1896

second1897

styme1897

split-second1912

split minute1931

no-time1942

sec.1956

1631 North's Plutarch, Add. Lives (1657) 931 Immediatly they pulled out the spill of the Dart, and at that instance he gave up the ghost.

1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. xi. §730. 319 The attornement cannot be so soone done but that there shall bee an instance betweene the grant, and the attornement.

1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §11 Those continued instances of time which flow into thousand yeares.

1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 144 We hold time to be made out of nows or instances.

III. In Scholastic Logic, and derived senses.

†5. A case adduced in objection to or disproof of a universal assertion (= medieval Latin instantia, Greek ἔνστασις). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > contrary evidence > [noun] > instance of

contradictoryc1400

instance1573

contra-indicant1796

1573 G. Harvey Schollers Loove in Let.-bk. (1884) 115 A marvelous instance Against all dalliance.

a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. C2 I am an instance to proue the contrary.

1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xiv. 86 Against the former of these two constructions, instance hath sundrie wayes bene geuen.

1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. D3^v I can refell that Paradox..of those, which holde the face to be the Index of the minde..for Instance, I wil now giue you the particuler, and distinct face of euery your most noted Species of persons.

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. C1^v It is almost without instance contradictorie.

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Nn2 To conclude vppon an Ennumeration of particulars, without instance contradictorie: is no conclusion: but a coniecture.

1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Instance,..a new Objection in School disputes to destroy the Solution which the Respondent has made to the first Argument.

a. A fact or example brought forward in support of a general assertion or an argument, or in illustration of a general truth. Hence, any thing, person, or circumstance, illustrating or exemplifying something of a more general character; a case, an illustrative example. Also, in broader sense, a case occurring, a recurring occasion. †to give or make instance; = instance v. 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > exemplifying some rule, activity, quality, etc.

asaumplea1250

evidencec1391

piecea1393

examplea1398

samplera1400

exemplarc1475

paradigm1483

instant1560

precedenta1575

exemplification1582

exemplary1583

instance1592

instancy1613

copy1641

specimen1659

patron saint1803

for instance1959

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > be instanced or exemplified [verb (intransitive)] > give an instance or example

exemplify?a1439

to give or make instance1592

example1616

sample1871

to give (one) a for instance1959

1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. F4, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) I will but giue you an instance of the same.

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vii. 156 Full of wise sawes, and moderne instances .

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 101 Hee adds, that many miracles are heere done, and first gives instance in the person of the Marques of ——.

1675 R. Baxter Catholick Theol. ii. vi. 117 Did not you confess that they were able..to do the works of common Grace? and that in abundance of instances?

a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1684) 46 Theophrastus..making instance in the Olive, hath left this Doctrine unto us.

1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 250 I thought him a very great instance of continency.

1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. i. ii This is an instance of conformity.

1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. iv. 57 Noy..is an instance that mere knowledge is not true wisdom.

1860 W. Thomson Outl. Laws of Thought (ed. 5) Introd. 19 Without something more than the mere form, there can be no instance of a law, an instance being the presence of the law in an object capable of containing it.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §4. 189 We may take..a foreign instance to illustrate this fundamental point in our municipal history.

b. for instance:

(a) for example, as an instance of what has been said.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > in the particular case [phrase] > for instance or example

for example?a1439

as namely1565

exempli causa1569

exempli gratia1591

e.g.1622

ex. gr.1635

for instance1657

exemp. gratia1667

for the purpose1680

par exemple1801

sample this1998

1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 19 The proof of this I found, by looking on the Stars... For instance; There is a little Star, called Auriga [etc.].

1723 E. Chambers tr. S. Le Clerc Treat. Archit. I. 30 It..can never happen, unless in the inside of a Building: for instance, of a Dome, or the like.

1868 J. N. Lockyer Elem. Lessons Astron. (1870) iv. §326 The daily motion of the Earth is very different in different parts—at the equator and at a pole, for instance.

1885 Lyell's Stud. Elem. Geol. (ed. 4) 20 Deposits..are still in progress at many points, as, for instance, at the mouth of the Var.

(b) As n., an example. Frequently in to give (one) a for instance. colloquial (originally U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > exemplifying some rule, activity, quality, etc.

asaumplea1250

evidencec1391

piecea1393

examplea1398

samplera1400

exemplarc1475

paradigm1483

instant1560

precedenta1575

exemplification1582

exemplary1583

instance1592

instancy1613

copy1641

specimen1659

patron saint1803

for instance1959

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > be instanced or exemplified [verb (intransitive)] > give an instance or example

exemplify?a1439

to give or make instance1592

example1616

sample1871

to give (one) a for instance1959

1959 in Amer. Speech (1962) 37 202 We'll give you a couple of ‘for instances’ here... Carpets that sold for $199.95 selling for $129.

1961 Easton (Pa.) Express 10 July 20/4 A forinstance is the case of a Ring Lardner story he included in an anthology of humorous talks.

1966 Punch 25 May 772/3 ‘Name us a for-instance, Sid, mate,’ suggested Jack abstractedly... ‘Only now and again the chat round here gets a bit difficult to pin down.’

1978 New Yorker 26 June 26/2 ‘I'll give you a for instance’, a man named Irving Goltz told us... ‘My real name was Irving. For a while there, they called me Sidney, and then, all of a sudden, they were calling me Sussy. Don't ask me why.’

†c. Any particular or point characteristic of or included in something general or abstract; a detail, circumstance. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed > a detail or particular

circumstances?c1225

parcela1325

partya1393

specialc1405

particular?a1425

partc1425

specialityc1443

specialty1449

especialityc1460

particularity1528

respect1533

severals1606

especial1633

particularment1642

retail1644

instance1649

circumstantiality1854

1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Ep. Ded. 4 All the instances of morality serve man's naturall and politicall ends.

1729 W. Law Serious Call xvi. 304 Many people live in all the instances of pride.

1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Jewish War i. vii, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 703 Nor..did they leave off the instances of their divine worship.

1744 J. Swift On Diffic. knowing one's Self in Three Serm. (ed. 2) 72 To pursue the Heart of Man thro' all the Instances of Life, in all its several Windings and Turnings.

†7. Something which proves or indicates; a proof, evidence; a sign, token, mark. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > [noun] > an indication or sign

tokeningc888

fingereOE

senyeOE

markOE

showing?c1225

blossomc1230

signa1325

signifyingc1384

evidencea1393

notea1398

forbysena1400

kenninga1400

knowinga1400

showerc1400

unningc1400

signala1413

signification?a1425

demonstrancec1425

cenyc1440

likelinessc1450

ensign1474

signifure?a1475

outshowinga1500

significativea1500

witter1513

precedent1518

intimation1531

signifier1532

meith1533

monument1536

indicion?1541

likelihood1541

significator1554

manifest1561

show1561

evidency1570

token-teller1574

betokener1587

calendar1590

instance1590

testificate1590

significant1598

crisis1606

index1607

impression1613

denotementa1616

story1620

remark1624

indicium1625

denotation1633

indice1636

signum1643

indiction1653

trace1656

demonstrator1657

indication1660

notationa1661

significatory1660

indicator1666

betrayer1678

demonstration1684

smell1691

wittering1781

notaa1790

blazonry1850

sign vehicle1909

marker1919

rumble1927

1590 R. Greene Mourning Garment 53 These droppes are not signes of sorrowes, but instances of content.

1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. L1 Cheeks neither red, nor pale, but mingled so, That blushing red, no guiltie instance gaue.

1607 T. Heywood Woman Kilde with Kindnesse sig. D4 What instance hast thou of this strange report?

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. ix. 213 I beg you to accept a Guinea as a small Instance of my Gratitude.

1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. ii. 63 [She] gave the first instance of her kindness by endeavouring to revive those [sc. the spirits] of her friend.

IV. In legal use, and phrase thence derived. [ < Latin instantia in Ulpian.]

a. A process in a court of justice, a suit. court of first instance, court of primary jurisdiction. [Compare French tribunal de première instance.]

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > a lawsuit

speechc897

mootc1225

pleadingc1275

pleac1300

actiona1325

quarrela1325

suit1348

pursuit1380

sokena1387

process1395

plead1455

pleament1480

suit in law1530

ployc1600

suit in equity1604

suit in chancery1621

lawsuit1624

instance1654

legal action1656

lis1932

1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. vii. 206 To seek for a remedy of these abuses at Rome, was such an insupportable charge, by reason of three instances and three sentences necessary to be obtained.

1681 Visct. Stair Form of Process 3 Processes are brought in before the Lords..some in the first instance, some in the second.

1684 G. Mackenzie Instit. Law Scotl. iv. iii If there has been a Debate in the first instance, (for so we call the action before the Decreet).

1692 Earl of Nottingham in 15th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1899) App. ii. 28 The Judges in the first instance are sometimes of the number of the Commissioners upon the Appeale.

1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 151 The Instance of a Cause is said to be that Judicial Process, which is made from the Contestation of a Suit, even to the Time of pronouncing Sentence in the Cause, or till the end of three years.

1860 Trench Serm. (1861) (Rev. ii. 3) 174 There lies an appeal to a tribunal of higher instance in Heaven.

1865 Spectator 25 Feb. 199 The loser is seldom satisfied with the decision of a Court of first instance.

1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. I. xxiii. 337 Any court, be it a State court of first instance, or the Federal court of last instance.

b. instance court n. a branch of the former Admiralty court, having jurisdiction in cases of private injuries to private rights occurring at sea or closely connected with maritime subjects and in contracts of a maritime nature. See admiralty n. 1a.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > [noun] > courts dealing with maritime or river matters

water court1482

court of admiraltya1500

marine court1697

Court of the Watercourse1698

court of lodemanage1716

prize court1775

instance court1802

1802 (title) Formulare Instrumentorum: or, a Formulary of..Standing Orders used in the High Courts of Admiralty..of Prize and Instance.

1837 J. R. McCulloch Statist. Acct. Brit. Empire II. iv. iv. 331 The Court of Admiralty is twofold: the Instance Court, which takes cognisance of contracts made and injuries committed on the high seas; and the Prize Court.

1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. ii. xi. 573 The Instance Court has cognizance of maritime causes arising upon the sea or in parts out of the reach of the common law.

9. Scots Law. See quot. 1681.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > a lawsuit > that which may be insisted on at one diet

instance1681

1681 J. Dalrymple Inst. Law Scotl. iv. iii. §22 An Instance is that which may be insisted in at one dyet or course of Probation.

1861 G. Ross W. Bell's Dict. Law Scotl. (rev. ed.) at Diets of Compearance The indictment, or the criminal letters, must be called on the precise day to which the accused is cited..otherwise the instance perishes, and a new libel must be raised.

1861 G. Ross W. Bell's Dict. Law Scotl. (rev. ed.) at Diets of Compearance Where the prosecutor is absent, the Court may desert the diet, and thus the instance will be lost, and no farther proceedings can take place on that libel.

10. in the first instance: as the first step in proceeding; in the first place.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > firstness > [adverb] > in the first place

firstlOE

ora1300

imprimis1465

once1523

originally1533

primely1610

in the first instancea1676

for one thing1767

a1676 M. Hale Hist. Common Law (1779) i. 11 The statutes..were not in the first instance drawn up in the form of acts of parliament; but the petition and the answer were entred in the parliament rolls, and out of both..the act was drawn up.

1850 F. W. Robertson Serm. 3rd Ser. viii. 108 The penalty is in the first instance, corrective not penal.

1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iv. 348 The praetor turned his attention to the matter and introduced interdicts of another sort, which we call secondary, because they are had recourse to only in the second instance.

1900 N.E.D. at Instance Mod. I applied to the local post office in the first instance, and then to the Secretary at the General Post Office: I had to write thrice and wait five weeks for an explanation.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

instancev.

Brit.

/ˈɪnst(ə)ns/, U.S.

/ˈɪnst(ə)ns/

Etymology: < instance n. With sense 1 compare Old French instancier to plead.

I. Senses relating to urging or entreating.

†1.

a. transitive. To urge, entreat urgently, importune. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > urge or importune

depressc1400

nurnc1400

pressc1440

labourc1450

instancea1513

instanta1513

importune1530

to lie at, upon1535

apply1559

urge1568

importunate1574

ply1581

to put on ——?a1600

flagitate1623

besiege1712

earwig1804

bone1856

tout1920

S.O.S.a1936

opportune1941

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. ccxv The Kynge sent..vnto the forenamed Iohn..& hym by many meanys instaunsyd to leue the company of the Lordys.

1515 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 211 I instaunced & desired you to shew your fatherly kindnes unto my poore wife & me.

1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Instare, to instance, to vrge, to presse with diligence, to importune.

1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 30 To carry his Majesty their Prince into Spain, to the end he might be enforced, and instanced in the Romish Religion.

1736 [see instancing n. and adj. at Derivatives].

†b. To urge (things). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > pressure or urgency > press or urge [verb (transitive)]

strain1380

pressa1382

art?1406

enforcec1449

to stand for ——1531

work1532

urge1560

force1580

instance1606

1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xiv. lxxxix. 363 So many Incantations, lyes, feares, hopes, instanced shee..As lastly did the non-plust Nunne vnto her Charmes agree.

II. Senses relating to citation or proof.

a. intransitive. To cite an instance, to adduce an example in illustration or proof. Const. in (the example adduced), rarely upon (the matter illustrated); with indirect passive, to be instanced in, to be cited or adduced as an instance. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > cite as an instance or example > cite (an instance)

instance1603

accitea1631

to be instanced in1736

1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 259 I say, that generally (to instance first of all in the Pope,) his catholike maiestie, will haue him to be [etc.].

1624 T. Gataker Discuss. Transubstant. 8 Hee instanceth in that very particular that wee now treate of.

1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iii. vii. 304 It were easie to instance, but charity bids me forbeare.

a1670 J. Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 549 The victory over death after that bloudy passion, which I shall instance upon in this verse.

1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. vi. 109 Which is the Fallacy instanced in by the Ancients.

1775 G. White Let. 15 Aug. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 193 It would be needless to instance in sheep, which constantly flock together.

1827 C. Wordsworth King Charles I 113 (note) To instance merely in one short work.

1882 C. Short in Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 3 151 We will instance in a single writer, Walton.

†b. Of a thing: To receive illustration, be exemplified. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > be instanced or exemplified [verb (intransitive)]

instancea1667

a1667 Jer. Taylor (Webster 1864) This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too.

3. transitive. To illustrate, prove, or show, by means of an instance; to exemplify; to exhibit. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > bring forward as evidence

to draw forthc1175

showa1325

drawc1330

allaya1387

to avouch a thing upon (a person)1393

allegea1398

adduce?a1425

induce1433

recite1509

infera1529

vouch1531

cite1550

avouch1573

relate1604

instance1608

rejourn1624

quote1663

abduce1720

invoke1879

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > illustrate or show by instances or examples

bisaumple?c1225

exemplate1602

instance1608

illustrate1612

sample1613

exemplarize1641

1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 44^v I coulde instance the truth of this assertion vpon many.

a1633 Visct. Falkland Hist. Edward II (1680) 74 Main Reasons are given probable enough to instance the necessity of his fall.

1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. I. 484 Without uttering a word, or instancing the least civility.

1783 M. W. W. Grenville Let. to Ld. Temple 28 Mar. in Duke of Buckingham Court George III (1853) I. 213 This he instanced in the American war, and in the riots of 1780.

1850 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces (ed. 2) 34 The above doctrine is beautifully instanced in the experiment of Thilorier.

4. To cite as an instance or example; to mention in illustration. In imperative = ‘Take as an instance’; but here perhaps originally the noun: cf. witness n.

ΘΚΠ

stir1340

cite1550

name1597

instance1622

quote1663

1622 E. Misselden Free Trade 64 Other like dispensations of Statutes I might instance.

a1650 G. Boate Irelands Nat. Hist. (1652) xxii. 174 Yet it hath happened that..abundance of snow hath fallen, instance that of the year 1635.

a1725 A. Pope Observ. Homer's Catal. (Seager) He proceeds to instance several others who..have no farther notice taken of them throughout the poem.

1822 R. G. Wallace 15 Years in India 304 Some of the customs are curious, but only one or two can be instanced.

18.. H. Spencer Induct. Biol. (L.) The arousing of a thought or feeling, always involves the overcoming of a certain resistance..instance the fact that during nervous prostration [etc.].

1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 143 I may instance olive oil, which is mischievous to all plants.

†5. To indicate, point to. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > [verb (transitive)]

tokenc888

sayOE

tellc1175

note?c1225

signifyc1275

notifyc1390

signc1390

ossc1400

testify1445

point1477

betoken1486

indike?1541

demonstrate1558

to give show of1567

argue1585

portend1590

speak1594

denotate1597

denote1597

evidence1610

instance1616

bespeak1629

resent1638

indict1653

notificate1653

indicate1706

exhibit1799

to body forth1821

signalize1825

to speak for ——1832

index1862

signal1866

1616 J. Lane Contin. Squire's Tale viii. 366 Others bethought them that this noble scheone instancd Canac, and Ethelta the queene.

Derivatives

ˈinstanced adj.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [adjective] > cited as an instance

cited?1555

instanced1649

case-based1968

1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iv. v. 437 That worthy Divine did not heedfully observe the great difference betwixt these instanced degrees.

ˈinstancing n. and adj.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > request > [adjective] > importunate

onwileOE

importune?1406

instant1477

importunate1529

urgent1548

important1591

importuning1599

instancing1606

clamorous1621

precarious1655

craving1668

clamanta1687

the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty > beseeching or importuning

beseechinga1350

suit1372

beggingc1380

pursuita1393

supplicationa1393

cravingc1430

entreating1525

solicitation1533

entreatance1548

precation1548

suiting1560

soliciting1570

imploration1575

importuning1582

implore1590

suing1591

treating1595

exoration1610

implorement1611

imploring1611

suppliance?1611

importunement1665

solicitancy1665

beseechmenta1680

instancing1736

suppliancy1812

beg1814

clamouring1884

opportuning1972

1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xiv. xci. 370 Not lother did Æneas to instancing Dido tell His Cities sack.

1736 E. Stanley tr. T. de Saint-Hyacinthe Histoire du Prince Titi 106 There passed between them a little Scuffle of Instancings and Refusings.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	instance
释义	instancen. Brit. /ˈɪnst(ə)ns/, U.S. /ˈɪnst(ə)ns/ Forms: Middle English–1500s instaunce, Middle English instauns, Middle English–1500s instans, Middle English– instance. Etymology: < French instance (13th cent. in Hatzfeld & Darmesteter) eagerness, anxiety, solicitation, a judicial process, a new argument rebutting the reply to a former argument, formerly also an instant of time, < Latin instāntia (1) a being present, presence, (2) urgency, earnestness in supplication, (3) a pleading or process in a court of justice (Ulpian), (4) in medieval Scholastic Latin an objection to a general statement, an instance to the contrary, translating Greek ἔνστασις (Buridan, c1350, In Metaphysicen Aristotelis Quæstiones: see Prantl): < instānt-em instant adj. I. Urgency; pressure; urging influence. 1. a. Urgency in speech or action; urgent entreaty, solicitation; earnestness; persistence. archaic, except in at the instance of (a person), at the solicitation, suit, instigation, or suggestion of. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > [phrase] > at the suggestion of at the instance ofc1340 the mind > will > decision > perseverance or persistence > [noun] > insistence instancec1340 insistence1611 insistency1859 the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > exhortation admonishmentc1275 instancec1340 exhortationc1384 exhortc1475 enhortment1477 enhorting1483 exhorting1490 adhortation1536 hortationc1540 exhortary1584 urging1615 cohortation1642 exhortancea1662 adjuration1782 evangelism1908 the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty > importunity or urgency instancec1340 importunityc1425 instancy1515 importunateness?1526 importunacy1548 importancea1555 importancy1576 opportunitya1586 urgencec1592 urgency1611 clamorousnessa1617 pressingness1661 precariousness1666 supplicancy1728 beseechingness1863 imploringness1863 pleadingness1866 demandingness1930 c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 26 At þe prayere and instaunce of oþer. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Judith iv. 8 Al the puple criede to the Lord with gret instaunce. a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 137 The kyng, compellid..on þe oþir party be instauns of þe lordes. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Eph. vi. 18 Watch thervnto with all instance and supplicacion. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 23 b Declaryng unto them..that at the instaunce and request of [etc.]. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 31 The instance and unweariednesse of the besieging army hath battered downe the forts. 1667 Bp. J. Taylor 2nd Pt. Dissuasive from Popery ii. iv. 86 The French Embassador..made instance for restitution of the Chalice to the Laity. 1770 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xxxvi. 61 The unhappy man, who yields at last to such personal instance and solicitation. 1851 R. Hussey Rise Papal Power i. 29 The Emperor, at the Pope's instance summoned Flavianus to Rome. 1866 D. Greenwell Ess. 175 The reverend gentleman labours his point with strong instance and perseverance. †b. rarely at (in) the instance of (a thing). Obsolete. ΚΠ 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 219 b/1 Wherfore mayst not thou atte instaunce of my merytes and prayers be meued to pennaunce. 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. lvi. [lviii.] 195 I praye you, in the instaunce of loue and peas, to conuey me to speke with the kynge. †c. plural. Urgent entreaties, repeated solicitation. [Compare French instances.] Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty > entreaties moana1325 instances1647 urgencies1823 1647 C. Cotterell & W. Aylesbury tr. E. C. Davila Hist. Civill Warres France ii. 68 To satisfie their instances and complaints. 1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. x. 23 The Parliament made many sharp instances ‘that the King might be deliver'd into their hands’. 1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Antiq. Jews iv. vi, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 105 At the earnest instances and fervent intreaties of Balak. 1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire IV. xxxvii. 273 Tiberius..thought it becoming in him to write to the emperor in intercession for her; but his instances were sternly rejected. †2. Something which urges or impels; impelling motive; cause. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > cause or reason > [noun] > reason or ground achesounc1230 anchesouna1250 reasona1250 groundc1275 matter1340 purposec1350 cause1413 quarrel1476 actiona1500 subject1577 spring of action1583 qualitya1586 inducement1593 place1593 theme1594 instance1597 motive1605 impulsivea1628 justifiera1635 foundation1641 rise1641 plummet1679 mainspring1695 the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > that which incites or instigates prickleOE pritchOE alighting1340 brodc1375 bellowsc1386 pricka1387 motivec1390 prompting1402 preparativec1450 stirmentc1460 incentive?a1475 fomenta1500 farda1522 instigation1526 pointing1533 swinge1548 spur1551 whetstone1551 goad1567 promptitude1578 alarm1587 inducement1593 solicitor1594 incitement1596 inflammation1597 instance1597 excitement1604 moving spirit1604 heart-blood1606 inflamer1609 rouser1611 stimulator1614 motioner1616 incensivea1618 incitative1620 incitation1622 whettera1625 impulsivea1628 excitation1628 incendiary1628 dispositive1629 fomentationa1631 switch1630 stirrer1632 irritament1634 provocative1638 impetus1641 driving force1642 driving power1642 engagement1642 firer1653 propellant1654 fomentary1657 impulse1660 urgency1664 impeller1686 fillip1699 shove1724 incitive1736 stimulative1747 bonus1787 stimulus1791 impellent1793 stimulant1794 propulsion1800 instigant1833 propulsive1834 motive power1836 evoker1845 motivity1857 afflatus1865 flip1881 urge1882 agent provocateur1888 will to power1896 a shot in the arm1922 motivator1929 driver1971 co-driver1993 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iii. ii. 22 Tell him his feares are shallow, wanting instance . View more context for this quotation 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 173 The instances that second marriage moue Are base respects of thrift, but none of loue. View more context for this quotation 1665 J. Evelyn Let. 16 June in Diary & Corr. (1852) III. 157 Your letter..imparted to us that most glorious victory..: his Royal Highness being safe, becomes a double instance of rejoicing to us. II. Instant time. †3. A being present, presence; the present time. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > [noun] instancec1374 nowa1393 presenta1425 nowadays?c1425 the time1484 presentens1509 here1608 present tense1630 now1633 the now1720 day1766 today1831 this day and age1832 of the period1859 nowaday1886 these days1936 c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr.) v. pr. vi. 135 Þou ne shalt nat demyn it as prescience of things to comyn, but þou shal demyn it moore ryhtfully, þat it is science of presence, or of Instaunce. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 83 The examples Of euery minutes instance (present now,) Hath put vs in these ill-beseeming armes. View more context for this quotation †4. An instant, a moment. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > moment or instant hand-whileOE prinkOE start-while?c1225 twinkling1303 rese?c1335 prick1340 momenta1382 pointa1382 minutea1393 instant1398 braida1400 siquarea1400 twink14.. whip?c1450 movement1490 punct1513 pissing whilea1556 trice1579 turning of a hand1579 wink1585 twinklec1592 semiquaver1602 punto1616 punctilio of time1620 punctum1620 breathing1625 instance1631 tantillation1651 rapc1700 crack1725 turning of a straw1755 pig's whisper1780 jiffy1785 less than no time1788 jiff1797 blinka1813 gliffy1820 handclap1822 glimpsea1824 eyewink1836 thought1836 eye-blink1838 semibreve1845 pop1847 two shakes of a lamb's taila1855 pig's whistle1859 time point1867 New York minute1870 tick1879 mo?1896 second1897 styme1897 split-second1912 split minute1931 no-time1942 sec.1956 1631 North's Plutarch, Add. Lives (1657) 931 Immediatly they pulled out the spill of the Dart, and at that instance he gave up the ghost. 1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. xi. §730. 319 The attornement cannot be so soone done but that there shall bee an instance betweene the grant, and the attornement. 1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §11 Those continued instances of time which flow into thousand yeares. View more context for this quotation 1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 144 We hold time to be made out of nows or instances. III. In Scholastic Logic, and derived senses. †5. A case adduced in objection to or disproof of a universal assertion (= medieval Latin instantia, Greek ἔνστασις). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > contrary evidence > [noun] > instance of contradictoryc1400 instance1573 contra-indicant1796 1573 G. Harvey Schollers Loove in Let.-bk. (1884) 115 A marvelous instance Against all dalliance. a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. C2 I am an instance to proue the contrary. 1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xiv. 86 Against the former of these two constructions, instance hath sundrie wayes bene geuen. 1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. D3^v I can refell that Paradox..of those, which holde the face to be the Index of the minde..for Instance, I wil now giue you the particuler, and distinct face of euery your most noted Species of persons. View more context for this quotation 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. C1^v It is almost without instance contradictorie. View more context for this quotation 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Nn2 To conclude vppon an Ennumeration of particulars, without instance contradictorie: is no conclusion: but a coniecture. View more context for this quotation 1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Instance,..a new Objection in School disputes to destroy the Solution which the Respondent has made to the first Argument. 6. a. A fact or example brought forward in support of a general assertion or an argument, or in illustration of a general truth. Hence, any thing, person, or circumstance, illustrating or exemplifying something of a more general character; a case, an illustrative example. Also, in broader sense, a case occurring, a recurring occasion. †to give or make instance; = instance v. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > exemplifying some rule, activity, quality, etc. asaumplea1250 evidencec1391 piecea1393 examplea1398 samplera1400 exemplarc1475 paradigm1483 instant1560 precedenta1575 exemplification1582 exemplary1583 instance1592 instancy1613 copy1641 specimen1659 patron saint1803 for instance1959 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > be instanced or exemplified [verb (intransitive)] > give an instance or example exemplify?a1439 to give or make instance1592 example1616 sample1871 to give (one) a for instance1959 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. F4, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) I will but giue you an instance of the same. a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vii. 156 Full of wise sawes, and moderne instances . View more context for this quotation 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 101 Hee adds, that many miracles are heere done, and first gives instance in the person of the Marques of ——. 1675 R. Baxter Catholick Theol. ii. vi. 117 Did not you confess that they were able..to do the works of common Grace? and that in abundance of instances? a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1684) 46 Theophrastus..making instance in the Olive, hath left this Doctrine unto us. 1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 250 I thought him a very great instance of continency. 1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. i. ii This is an instance of conformity. 1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. iv. 57 Noy..is an instance that mere knowledge is not true wisdom. 1860 W. Thomson Outl. Laws of Thought (ed. 5) Introd. 19 Without something more than the mere form, there can be no instance of a law, an instance being the presence of the law in an object capable of containing it. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §4. 189 We may take..a foreign instance to illustrate this fundamental point in our municipal history. b. for instance: (a) for example, as an instance of what has been said. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > in the particular case [phrase] > for instance or example for example?a1439 as namely1565 exempli causa1569 exempli gratia1591 e.g.1622 ex. gr.1635 for instance1657 exemp. gratia1667 for the purpose1680 par exemple1801 sample this1998 1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 19 The proof of this I found, by looking on the Stars... For instance; There is a little Star, called Auriga [etc.]. 1723 E. Chambers tr. S. Le Clerc Treat. Archit. I. 30 It..can never happen, unless in the inside of a Building: for instance, of a Dome, or the like. 1868 J. N. Lockyer Elem. Lessons Astron. (1870) iv. §326 The daily motion of the Earth is very different in different parts—at the equator and at a pole, for instance. 1885 Lyell's Stud. Elem. Geol. (ed. 4) 20 Deposits..are still in progress at many points, as, for instance, at the mouth of the Var. (b) As n., an example. Frequently in to give (one) a for instance. colloquial (originally U.S.). ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > exemplifying some rule, activity, quality, etc. asaumplea1250 evidencec1391 piecea1393 examplea1398 samplera1400 exemplarc1475 paradigm1483 instant1560 precedenta1575 exemplification1582 exemplary1583 instance1592 instancy1613 copy1641 specimen1659 patron saint1803 for instance1959 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > be instanced or exemplified [verb (intransitive)] > give an instance or example exemplify?a1439 to give or make instance1592 example1616 sample1871 to give (one) a for instance1959 1959 in Amer. Speech (1962) 37 202 We'll give you a couple of ‘for instances’ here... Carpets that sold for $199.95 selling for $129. 1961 Easton (Pa.) Express 10 July 20/4 A forinstance is the case of a Ring Lardner story he included in an anthology of humorous talks. 1966 Punch 25 May 772/3 ‘Name us a for-instance, Sid, mate,’ suggested Jack abstractedly... ‘Only now and again the chat round here gets a bit difficult to pin down.’ 1978 New Yorker 26 June 26/2 ‘I'll give you a for instance’, a man named Irving Goltz told us... ‘My real name was Irving. For a while there, they called me Sidney, and then, all of a sudden, they were calling me Sussy. Don't ask me why.’ †c. Any particular or point characteristic of or included in something general or abstract; a detail, circumstance. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed > a detail or particular circumstances?c1225 parcela1325 partya1393 specialc1405 particular?a1425 partc1425 specialityc1443 specialty1449 especialityc1460 particularity1528 respect1533 severals1606 especial1633 particularment1642 retail1644 instance1649 circumstantiality1854 1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Ep. Ded. 4 All the instances of morality serve man's naturall and politicall ends. 1729 W. Law Serious Call xvi. 304 Many people live in all the instances of pride. 1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Jewish War i. vii, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 703 Nor..did they leave off the instances of their divine worship. 1744 J. Swift On Diffic. knowing one's Self in Three Serm. (ed. 2) 72 To pursue the Heart of Man thro' all the Instances of Life, in all its several Windings and Turnings. †7. Something which proves or indicates; a proof, evidence; a sign, token, mark. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > [noun] > an indication or sign tokeningc888 fingereOE senyeOE markOE showing?c1225 blossomc1230 signa1325 signifyingc1384 evidencea1393 notea1398 forbysena1400 kenninga1400 knowinga1400 showerc1400 unningc1400 signala1413 signification?a1425 demonstrancec1425 cenyc1440 likelinessc1450 ensign1474 signifure?a1475 outshowinga1500 significativea1500 witter1513 precedent1518 intimation1531 signifier1532 meith1533 monument1536 indicion?1541 likelihood1541 significator1554 manifest1561 show1561 evidency1570 token-teller1574 betokener1587 calendar1590 instance1590 testificate1590 significant1598 crisis1606 index1607 impression1613 denotementa1616 story1620 remark1624 indicium1625 denotation1633 indice1636 signum1643 indiction1653 trace1656 demonstrator1657 indication1660 notationa1661 significatory1660 indicator1666 betrayer1678 demonstration1684 smell1691 wittering1781 notaa1790 blazonry1850 sign vehicle1909 marker1919 rumble1927 1590 R. Greene Mourning Garment 53 These droppes are not signes of sorrowes, but instances of content. 1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. L1 Cheeks neither red, nor pale, but mingled so, That blushing red, no guiltie instance gaue. View more context for this quotation 1607 T. Heywood Woman Kilde with Kindnesse sig. D4 What instance hast thou of this strange report? 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. ix. 213 I beg you to accept a Guinea as a small Instance of my Gratitude. View more context for this quotation 1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. ii. 63 [She] gave the first instance of her kindness by endeavouring to revive those [sc. the spirits] of her friend. IV. In legal use, and phrase thence derived. [ < Latin instantia in Ulpian.] 8. a. A process in a court of justice, a suit. court of first instance, court of primary jurisdiction. [Compare French tribunal de première instance.] ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > a lawsuit speechc897 mootc1225 pleadingc1275 pleac1300 actiona1325 quarrela1325 suit1348 pursuit1380 sokena1387 process1395 plead1455 pleament1480 suit in law1530 ployc1600 suit in equity1604 suit in chancery1621 lawsuit1624 instance1654 legal action1656 lis1932 1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. vii. 206 To seek for a remedy of these abuses at Rome, was such an insupportable charge, by reason of three instances and three sentences necessary to be obtained. 1681 Visct. Stair Form of Process 3 Processes are brought in before the Lords..some in the first instance, some in the second. 1684 G. Mackenzie Instit. Law Scotl. iv. iii If there has been a Debate in the first instance, (for so we call the action before the Decreet). 1692 Earl of Nottingham in 15th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1899) App. ii. 28 The Judges in the first instance are sometimes of the number of the Commissioners upon the Appeale. 1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 151 The Instance of a Cause is said to be that Judicial Process, which is made from the Contestation of a Suit, even to the Time of pronouncing Sentence in the Cause, or till the end of three years. 1860 Trench Serm. (1861) (Rev. ii. 3) 174 There lies an appeal to a tribunal of higher instance in Heaven. 1865 Spectator 25 Feb. 199 The loser is seldom satisfied with the decision of a Court of first instance. 1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. I. xxiii. 337 Any court, be it a State court of first instance, or the Federal court of last instance. b. instance court n. a branch of the former Admiralty court, having jurisdiction in cases of private injuries to private rights occurring at sea or closely connected with maritime subjects and in contracts of a maritime nature. See admiralty n. 1a. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > [noun] > courts dealing with maritime or river matters water court1482 court of admiraltya1500 marine court1697 Court of the Watercourse1698 court of lodemanage1716 prize court1775 instance court1802 1802 (title) Formulare Instrumentorum: or, a Formulary of..Standing Orders used in the High Courts of Admiralty..of Prize and Instance. 1837 J. R. McCulloch Statist. Acct. Brit. Empire II. iv. iv. 331 The Court of Admiralty is twofold: the Instance Court, which takes cognisance of contracts made and injuries committed on the high seas; and the Prize Court. 1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. ii. xi. 573 The Instance Court has cognizance of maritime causes arising upon the sea or in parts out of the reach of the common law. 9. Scots Law. See quot. 1681. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > a lawsuit > that which may be insisted on at one diet instance1681 1681 J. Dalrymple Inst. Law Scotl. iv. iii. §22 An Instance is that which may be insisted in at one dyet or course of Probation. 1861 G. Ross W. Bell's Dict. Law Scotl. (rev. ed.) at Diets of Compearance The indictment, or the criminal letters, must be called on the precise day to which the accused is cited..otherwise the instance perishes, and a new libel must be raised. 1861 G. Ross W. Bell's Dict. Law Scotl. (rev. ed.) at Diets of Compearance Where the prosecutor is absent, the Court may desert the diet, and thus the instance will be lost, and no farther proceedings can take place on that libel. 10. in the first instance: as the first step in proceeding; in the first place. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > firstness > [adverb] > in the first place firstlOE ora1300 imprimis1465 once1523 originally1533 primely1610 in the first instancea1676 for one thing1767 a1676 M. Hale Hist. Common Law (1779) i. 11 The statutes..were not in the first instance drawn up in the form of acts of parliament; but the petition and the answer were entred in the parliament rolls, and out of both..the act was drawn up. 1850 F. W. Robertson Serm. 3rd Ser. viii. 108 The penalty is in the first instance, corrective not penal. 1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iv. 348 The praetor turned his attention to the matter and introduced interdicts of another sort, which we call secondary, because they are had recourse to only in the second instance. 1900 N.E.D. at Instance Mod. I applied to the local post office in the first instance, and then to the Secretary at the General Post Office: I had to write thrice and wait five weeks for an explanation. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022). instancev. Brit. /ˈɪnst(ə)ns/, U.S. /ˈɪnst(ə)ns/ Etymology: < instance n. With sense 1 compare Old French instancier to plead. I. Senses relating to urging or entreating. †1. a. transitive. To urge, entreat urgently, importune. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > urge or importune depressc1400 nurnc1400 pressc1440 labourc1450 instancea1513 instanta1513 importune1530 to lie at, upon1535 apply1559 urge1568 importunate1574 ply1581 to put on ——?a1600 flagitate1623 besiege1712 earwig1804 bone1856 tout1920 S.O.S.a1936 opportune1941 a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. ccxv The Kynge sent..vnto the forenamed Iohn..& hym by many meanys instaunsyd to leue the company of the Lordys. 1515 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 211 I instaunced & desired you to shew your fatherly kindnes unto my poore wife & me. 1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Instare, to instance, to vrge, to presse with diligence, to importune. 1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 30 To carry his Majesty their Prince into Spain, to the end he might be enforced, and instanced in the Romish Religion. 1736 [see instancing n. and adj. at Derivatives]. †b. To urge (things). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > pressure or urgency > press or urge [verb (transitive)] strain1380 pressa1382 art?1406 enforcec1449 to stand for ——1531 work1532 urge1560 force1580 instance1606 1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xiv. lxxxix. 363 So many Incantations, lyes, feares, hopes, instanced shee..As lastly did the non-plust Nunne vnto her Charmes agree. II. Senses relating to citation or proof. 2. a. intransitive. To cite an instance, to adduce an example in illustration or proof. Const. in (the example adduced), rarely upon (the matter illustrated); with indirect passive, to be instanced in, to be cited or adduced as an instance. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > cite as an instance or example > cite (an instance) instance1603 accitea1631 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > cite as an instance or example > be adduced as an instance of to be instanced in1736 1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 259 I say, that generally (to instance first of all in the Pope,) his catholike maiestie, will haue him to be [etc.]. 1624 T. Gataker Discuss. Transubstant. 8 Hee instanceth in that very particular that wee now treate of. 1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iii. vii. 304 It were easie to instance, but charity bids me forbeare. a1670 J. Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 549 The victory over death after that bloudy passion, which I shall instance upon in this verse. 1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. vi. 109 Which is the Fallacy instanced in by the Ancients. 1775 G. White Let. 15 Aug. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 193 It would be needless to instance in sheep, which constantly flock together. 1827 C. Wordsworth King Charles I 113 (note) To instance merely in one short work. 1882 C. Short in Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 3 151 We will instance in a single writer, Walton. †b. Of a thing: To receive illustration, be exemplified. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > be instanced or exemplified [verb (intransitive)] instancea1667 a1667 Jer. Taylor (Webster 1864) This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too. 3. transitive. To illustrate, prove, or show, by means of an instance; to exemplify; to exhibit. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > bring forward as evidence to draw forthc1175 showa1325 drawc1330 allaya1387 to avouch a thing upon (a person)1393 allegea1398 adduce?a1425 induce1433 recite1509 infera1529 vouch1531 cite1550 avouch1573 relate1604 instance1608 rejourn1624 quote1663 abduce1720 invoke1879 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > illustrate or show by instances or examples bisaumple?c1225 exemplate1602 instance1608 illustrate1612 sample1613 exemplarize1641 1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 44^v I coulde instance the truth of this assertion vpon many. a1633 Visct. Falkland Hist. Edward II (1680) 74 Main Reasons are given probable enough to instance the necessity of his fall. 1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. I. 484 Without uttering a word, or instancing the least civility. 1783 M. W. W. Grenville Let. to Ld. Temple 28 Mar. in Duke of Buckingham Court George III (1853) I. 213 This he instanced in the American war, and in the riots of 1780. 1850 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces (ed. 2) 34 The above doctrine is beautifully instanced in the experiment of Thilorier. 4. To cite as an instance or example; to mention in illustration. In imperative = ‘Take as an instance’; but here perhaps originally the noun: cf. witness n. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > cite as an instance or example stir1340 cite1550 name1597 instance1622 quote1663 1622 E. Misselden Free Trade 64 Other like dispensations of Statutes I might instance. a1650 G. Boate Irelands Nat. Hist. (1652) xxii. 174 Yet it hath happened that..abundance of snow hath fallen, instance that of the year 1635. a1725 A. Pope Observ. Homer's Catal. (Seager) He proceeds to instance several others who..have no farther notice taken of them throughout the poem. 1822 R. G. Wallace 15 Years in India 304 Some of the customs are curious, but only one or two can be instanced. 18.. H. Spencer Induct. Biol. (L.) The arousing of a thought or feeling, always involves the overcoming of a certain resistance..instance the fact that during nervous prostration [etc.]. 1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 143 I may instance olive oil, which is mischievous to all plants. †5. To indicate, point to. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > [verb (transitive)] tokenc888 sayOE tellc1175 note?c1225 signifyc1275 notifyc1390 signc1390 ossc1400 testify1445 point1477 betoken1486 indike?1541 demonstrate1558 to give show of1567 argue1585 portend1590 speak1594 denotate1597 denote1597 evidence1610 instance1616 bespeak1629 resent1638 indict1653 notificate1653 indicate1706 exhibit1799 to body forth1821 signalize1825 to speak for ——1832 index1862 signal1866 1616 J. Lane Contin. Squire's Tale viii. 366 Others bethought them that this noble scheone instancd Canac, and Ethelta the queene. Derivatives ˈinstanced adj. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [adjective] > cited as an instance cited?1555 instanced1649 case-based1968 1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iv. v. 437 That worthy Divine did not heedfully observe the great difference betwixt these instanced degrees. ˈinstancing n. and adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > request > [adjective] > importunate onwileOE importune?1406 instant1477 importunate1529 urgent1548 important1591 importuning1599 instancing1606 clamorous1621 precarious1655 craving1668 clamanta1687 the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty > beseeching or importuning beseechinga1350 suit1372 beggingc1380 pursuita1393 supplicationa1393 cravingc1430 entreating1525 solicitation1533 entreatance1548 precation1548 suiting1560 soliciting1570 imploration1575 importuning1582 implore1590 suing1591 treating1595 exoration1610 implorement1611 imploring1611 suppliance?1611 importunement1665 solicitancy1665 beseechmenta1680 instancing1736 suppliancy1812 beg1814 clamouring1884 opportuning1972 1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xiv. xci. 370 Not lother did Æneas to instancing Dido tell His Cities sack. 1736 E. Stanley tr. T. de Saint-Hyacinthe Histoire du Prince Titi 106 There passed between them a little Scuffle of Instancings and Refusings. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.c1340v.a1513
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