3. Occasion; order of occurrence.
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. 4. That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a
case occurring; an example.
Most remarkable instances of suffering.
Atterbury. 5. A token; a sign; a symptom or indication. Shak.
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.
— 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.
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.
I shall not instance an abstruse author.
Milton. Instance
(In"stance), v. i. To give an example. [Obs.]
This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too.
Jer. Taylor. Instancy
(In"stan*cy) n. Instance; urgency. [Obs.]
Those heavenly precepts which our Lord and Savior with so great instancy gave.
Hooker. Instant
(In"stant) a. [L. instans, -antis, p. pr. of instare to stand upon, to press upon; pref. in- in, on +
stare to stand: cf. F. instant. See Stand.]
1. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
Rom. xii. 12.
I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.
Carlyle. 2. Closely pressing or impending in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay.
Impending death is thine, and instant doom.
Prior. 3. Present; current.
The instant time is always the fittest time.
Fuller. The word in this sense is now used only in dates, to indicate the current month; as, the tenth of July
instant.
Instant
(In"stant), adv. Instantly. [Poetic]
Instant he flew with hospitable haste.
Pope. Instant
(In"stant), n. [F. instant, fr. L. instans standing by, being near, present. See Instant, a.]