instance

instance

an occurrence of something; an example: The fistfight was an instance of student discord.

Not to be confused with:

instants – very brief time periods; almost imperceptible moments: We experience only instants of pure joy.

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

in·stance

 (ĭn′stəns)

n.

1.

a. An example that is cited to prove or invalidate a contention or illustrate a point. See Synonyms at example.

b. A case or an occurrence: In all such instances, let conscience be your guide.

2. A step in a process or series of events: You should apply in the first instance to the personnel manager.

3.

a. A suggestion or request: called at the instance of his attorney.

b. Archaic Urgent solicitation or entreaty.

tr.v. in·stanced, in·stanc·ing, in·stanc·es

1. To offer as an example; cite: "I assured her that I was interested in garbage, and instanced the fact that I had once been a garbage inspector myself" (Jane Addams).

2. To demonstrate or show by an example; exemplify: "how absurd it often is to cite a single line from ... a poem for the purpose of instancing the perfection or imperfection of the line's rhythm" (Edgar Allan Poe).

Idiom:

for instance

As an example; for example.

---

[Middle English instaunce, from Old French instance, request, instant, and from Medieval Latin īnstantia, example, both from Latin, presence, from īnstāns, īnstant-, present; see instant.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

instance

(ˈɪnstəns)

n

1. a case or particular example

2. for instance for or as an example

3. a specified stage in proceedings; step (in the phrases in the first, second, etc, instance)

4. urgent request or demand (esp in the phrase at the instance of)

5. (Logic) logic

a. an expression derived from another by instantiation

b. See substitution^4b

6. archaic motive or reason

vb (tr)

to cite as an example

[C14 (in the sense: case, example): from Medieval Latin instantia example, (in the sense: urgency) from Latin: a being close upon, presence, from instāns pressing upon, urgent; see instant]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

in•stance

(ˈɪn stəns)

n., v. -stanced, -stanc•ing. n.

1. a case or occurrence of something: fresh instances of oppression.

2. an example put forth in proof or illustration: to cite a few instances.

3. the institution and prosecution of a legal case.

4. Archaic. urgency in speech or action.

5. Obs. an impelling motive.

v.t.

6. to cite as an instance or example.

7. to exemplify by an instance.

v.i.

8. to cite an instance.

Idioms:

1. at the instance of, at the urging or suggestion of.

2. for instance, as an example; for example.

[1300–50; Middle English < Latin instantia presence, urgency (Medieval Latin: case, example)]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

instance

Past participle: instanced
Gerund: instancing

Imperative

instance

instance

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	instance - 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" case, example happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent - an event that happens humiliation, mortification - an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect; "he had to undergo one humiliation after another" bit, piece - an instance of some kind; "it was a nice piece of work"; "he had a bit of good luck" time, clip - an instance or single occasion for some event; "this time he succeeded"; "he called four times"; "he could do ten at a clip"
	2.	instance - 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" example, illustration, representative information - knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction apology, excuse - a poor example; "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile" exception - an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization; "all her children were brilliant; the only exception was her last child"; "an exception tests the rule" case in point, precedent - an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time quintessence - the most typical example or representative of a type sample - a small part of something intended as representative of the whole specimen - an example regarded as typical of its class
Verb	1.	instance - clarify by giving an example of illustrate, exemplify elaborate, expatiate, expound, lucubrate, dilate, flesh out, exposit, enlarge, expand - add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

instance

noun

1. example, case, occurrence, occasion, sample, illustration, precedent, case in point, exemplification a serious instance of corruption

2. insistence, demand, urging, pressure, stress, application, request, prompting, impulse, behest, incitement, instigation, solicitation, entreaty, importunity The meeting was organised at the instance of two senior ministers.

verb

1. name, mention, identify, point out, advance, quote, finger (informal, chiefly U.S.), refer to, point to, cite, specify, invoke, allude to, adduce, namecheck, namedrop She could have instanced many women who fitted this description.

for instance for example, e.g., to illustrate, as an illustration, by way of illustration, exempli gratia (Latin), to cite an instance Let your child make his own decisions sometimes. For instance, let him choose which clothes to wear.

in the first instance initially, at first, to begin with, first, firstly, originally, primarily, at the start, at the outset, in the early stages, at or in the beginning The post was for one year in the first instance.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

instance

noun

1. One that is representative of a group or class:

case, example, illustration, representative, sample, specimen.

2. A legal proceeding to demand justice or enforce a right:

action, case, cause, lawsuit, suit.

3. Archaic. Urgent solicitation:

insistence, insistency, pressing.

verb

1. To refer to by name:

cite, mention, name, specify.

2. To demonstrate and clarify with examples:

exemplify, illustrate.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

حَالَةٌمَثَل، شاهِد

příkladpřípad

eksempeltilfælde

BeispielFallInstanz

περίπτωση

ejemplocaso

juhtumnäide

esimerkkiinstanssitapaus

exempleinstance

slučaj

dæmi; atvik, tilfelli

esempioistanzaper esempiorichiestacaso

事例

예

atvejis

gadījumspiemērs

gevalvoorbeeldvoorval

eksempel

przykład

exemploinstânciaocasiãoocorrência

случай

na primerprimer

exempel

ตัวอย่าง

örnekmisal

ví dụ

例子实例

instance

[ˈɪnstəns]

A. N

1. (= example) → ejemplo m
for instance → por ejemplo

2. (= case) → caso m
in that instance → en ese caso
in many instances → en muchos casos
in the present instance → en el caso presente
in the first instance → en primer lugar

3. (Jur) at the instance of → a instancia or petición de

B. VT (= exemplify) → citar como ejemplo
this is perhaps best instanced by → quizás esto queda mejor ilustrado por ...

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

instance

[ˈɪnstəns] n

(= case, occurrence) → cas m
in many instances → dans bien des cas
in that instance → dans ce cas
in this instance → dans le cas qui nous occupe
in the first instance → dans un premier temps
The post was for one year in the first instance → Le poste était pour un an dans un premier temps.

for instance → par exemple

at sb's instance (formal) (= at someone's request) → sur l'instance de qn

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

instance

n

(= example) → Beispiel nt; (= case) → Fall m; for instance → zum Beispiel; as an instance of → als (ein) Beispiel für; in many instances → in vielen Fällen; there have been many instances of people refusing to go → es hat viele Fälle gegeben, in denen Leute es abgelehnt haben zu gehen; in the first instance → zuerst or zunächst (einmal); the appointment will be for two years in the first instance → die Anstellung ist zunächst auf zwei Jahre befristet; this is a good instance of the way … → das ist ein gutes Beispiel dafür, wie …

at the instance of (form) → auf Ersuchen or Betreiben (+gen) (form), → auf Veranlassung von

(Jur) court of first instance → erste Instanz

vt

(= exemplify) → Beispiele anführen für

(= cite) cost, example → anführen

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

instance

[ˈɪnstəns] n (example) → esempio, caso
for instance → per or ad esempio
in that instance → in quel caso
in the first instance → in primo luogo

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

instance

(ˈinstəns) noun

an example, especially of a condition or circumstance. As a social worker, he saw many instances of extreme poverty. oomblikke مَثَل، شاهِد пример exemplo příklad das Beispiel eksempel περίπτωση, παράδειγμαejemplo näide نمونه esimerkki exempleדוגמה उदाहरण विशेष primjer példa contoh dæmi; atvik, tilfelli esempio 例 실례 pavyzdys, atvejis piemērs; gadījums contoh voorbeeldeksempel, tilfelleprzykład مثال، نمونه، مرحله ، موقع exemplo exemplu пример; случаи príklad primer primer exempel กรณี örnek, misal 例子 приклад; окремий випадок مثال ví dụ 例子

for instance

for example. Some birds, penguins for instance, cannot fly at all. byvoorbeeld مَثَلا например por exemplo například zum Beispiel for eksempel για παράδειγμα por ejemplo näiteks مثلاً esimerkiksi par exempleלמשל उदाहरणार्थ na primjer például misalnya til dæmis per esempio 例えば 예를 들어 pavyzdžiui piemēram sebagai contoh bijvoorbeeldfor eksempel na przykład مثال por exemplo de exemplu например napríklad na primer na primer till exempel ตัวอย่างเช่น örneğin, meselâ 例如 наприклад مثلا ví dụ 比如

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

instance

→ حَالَةٌ případ tilfælde Fall περίπτωση ejemplo esimerkki exemple slučaj esempio 事例 예 geval eksempel przykład exemplo случай exempel ตัวอย่าง örnek ví dụ 实例

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009