GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Instance , n. [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.]
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   The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion.
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   Undertook at her instance to restore them.
   Sir W. Scott.
   
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   That which is instant or urgent; motive. [Obs.]
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   The instances that second marriage move
   Are base respects of thrift, but none of love.
   Shak.
   
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   Occasion; order of occurrence.
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   These seem as if, in the time of Edward I., they were drawn up into the form of a law, in the first instance.
   Sir M. Hale.
   
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   That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example; as, we could find no instance of poisoning in the town within the past year.
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   +PJC
   Most remarkable instances of suffering.
   Atterbury.
   
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   A token; a sign; a symptom or indication.
   Shak.
   
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   Causes of instance, those which proceed at the solicitation of some party. Hallifax. -- Court of first instance, the court by which a case is first tried. -- For instance, by way of example or illustration; for example. -- Instance Court (Law), the Court of Admiralty acting within its ordinary jurisdiction, as distinguished from its action as a prize court.
   Syn. -- Example; case. See Example.
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2.       
   Instance , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instanced ; p. pr. & vb. n. Instancing .] To mention as a case or example; to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact.
   H. Spenser.
   
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   I shall not instance an abstruse author.
   Milton.
   
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3.       
   Instance, v. i. To give an example. [Obs.]
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   This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too.
   Jer. Taylor.
   
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