instance

instance
[[t]ɪ̱nstəns[/t]]
♦♦
instances
1) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group You use for instance to introduce a particular event, situation, or person that is an example of what you are talking about.

In sub-Saharan Africa today, for instance, gross investment accounts for roughly 15% of national income...

Let your child make some of the small decisions concerning his daily routine. For instance, allow him to choose what clothes he wears at the weekend.

Syn:
for example
2) N-COUNT An instance is a particular example or occurrence of something.

She cited an instance where their training had been a marvelous help in dealing with problems.

...an investigation into a serious instance of corruption.

3) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say in the first instance to mention something that is the first step in a series of actions.

In the first instance your child will be seen by an ear, nose and throat specialist...

The post was for one year in the first instance with possible renewal to a further year.

4) PHRASE: usu PHR after v If you do something at someone's instance, you do it because they have ordered or requested you to do it. [FORMAL]

The rally was organised at the instance of two senior cabinet ministers.

Syn:
at someone's request

English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • instance — [ ɛ̃stɑ̃s ] n. f. • v. 1240 « application, soin »; lat. instantia 1 ♦ Sollicitation pressante. Vx au sing., sauf dans Demander avec instance. ⇒ insistance. « mon camarade me fit de telles instances » (Balzac). Mod. Céder aux instances de qqn. ⇒… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • instance — INSTANCE. s. f. Poursuite, sollicitation pressante. Grande instance. faire instance, de grandes instances, de vives instances, des instances pressantes auprés de quelqu un, envers quelqu un. je l ay fait à son instance. je l en ay sollicité avec… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • instance — n Instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean a concrete thing which has or manifests the qualities, characters, or nature of a type, a class, or a group. Instance applies to an individual person or thing brought forth in support …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • instance — [in′stəns] n. [ME instaunce < OFr instance < L instantia, a standing upon or near, being present < instans: see INSTANT] 1. Archaic an urgent plea; persistent solicitation 2. an example; case; illustration 3. a step in proceeding;… …   English World dictionary

  • instance — in·stance / in stəns/ n [French, from Late Latin instantia, from Latin, the fact of being present or impending, vehemence in speech, urgency, from instant instans insistent, pressing, from present participle of instare to be pressing, stand upon] …   Law dictionary

  • instance — ► NOUN 1) an example or single occurrence of something. 2) a particular case. ► VERB ▪ cite as an example. ● for instance Cf. ↑for instance ● in the first (or second etc.) …   English terms dictionary

  • instance — (n.) mid 14c., urgency, from O.Fr. instance eagerness, anxiety, solicitation (13c.), from L. instantia presence, effort intention; earnestness, urgency, lit. a standing near, from instans (see INSTANT (Cf. instant)). In Scholastic logic, a fact… …   Etymology dictionary

  • 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] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • instance — [n] case, situation case history, case in point, detail, example, exemplification, exponent, ground, illustration, item, occasion, occurrence, particular, precedent, proof, reason, representative, sample, sampling, specimen, time; concepts… …   New thesaurus

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