'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
- abetment,
- adduce,
- anatomize,
- article,
- as an example,
- aspect,
- atomize,
- call to mind,
- case,
- case history,
- case in point,
- circumstantiate,
- citation,
- cite,
- cite a particular,
- count,
- cross reference,
- datum,
- demonstrate,
- demonstration,
- descend to particulars,
- detail,
- document,
- element,
- emblem,
- encouragement,
- enter into detail,
- event,
- example,
- exemplar,
- exemplification,
- exemplify,
- explanation,
- exponent,
- facet,
- fact,
- factor,
- for example,
- for instance,
- give a for-instance,
- give full particulars,
- goading,
- ground,
- illustrate,
- illustration,
- improper suggestion,
- incidental,
- indecent proposal,
- insistence,
- item,
- itemize,
- matter,
- minor detail,
- minutia,
- minutiae,
- motion,
- name,
- needling,
- object lesson,
- occurrence,
- particular,
- particularize,
- pass,
- point,
- precedent,
- pressing,
- pressure,
- pricking,
- prodding,
- proof,
- proposal,
- proposition,
- quotation,
- quote,
- reason,
- reference,
- regard,
- relevant instance,
- representative,
- request,
- resolution,
- respect,
- sample,
- sampling,
- say,
- sexual advance,
- specify,
- specimen,
- spell out,
- spurring,
- substantiate,
- suggestion,
- symbol,
- thing,
- type,
- typical example,
- urging