In"stance (?), n. [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.]
1. The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion.
Undertook at her instance to restore them.
Sir W. Scott.
2. That which is instant or urgent; motive. [Obs.]
The instances that second marriage move
Are base respects of thrift, but none of love.
Shak.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
In"stance, v. i. To give an example. [Obs.]
This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too.
Jer. Taylor.
© Webster 1913. | 
