'Instance' definitions:

Definition of 'instance'

(from WordNet)
noun
An occurrence of something; "it was a case of bad judgment"; "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always the famous example of the Smiths" [syn: case, instance, example]
noun
An item of information that is typical of a class or group; "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10" [syn: example, illustration, instance, representative]
verb
Clarify by giving an example of [syn: exemplify, illustrate, instance]

Definition of 'Instance'

From: GCIDE
  • Instance \In"stance\, n. [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion. [1913 Webster]
  • Undertook at her instance to restore them. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That which is instant or urgent; motive. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • The instances that second marriage move Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Occasion; order of occurrence. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. 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. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • Most remarkable instances of suffering. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A token; a sign; a symptom or indication. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Instance'

From: GCIDE
  • Instance \In"stance\, 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. [1913 Webster]
  • I shall not instance an abstruse author. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Instance'

From: GCIDE
  • Instance \In"stance\, v. i. To give an example. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'instance'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Instance'