instance English · revision 4300

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=la instare}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɪn.stəns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|instaunce]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|instance|t=effort; urgency, eagerness, anxiety]] (13th century),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|instantia|t=presence; earnestness, urgency]], literally “a standing near”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from instans, present participle of instare “to be present, press upon”, from in- “upon” and stare “to stand”.^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline) In logic, the sense “example” is from Medieval Latin instantia “an example to the contrary”, which translated Greek enstasis “objection”.^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) It is related to [[instant]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Urgency in speech or action, urgent entreaty: about 1340 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Barnhart's first example, about 1380 in Chaucer's Boethius, is “the present time”.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The original sense of urgency survives in ''at the instance of'', at the request of.^(NODE 1998)^(Hoad 1986) In logic a case or example, at first one cited against a general assertion, is from the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1573 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the late 16th century in the New Oxford;^(NODE 1998) from it came the sense of a single occurrence.^(NODE 1998) ''For instance'', as an example, is from the 1650s,^(Etymonline) and ''a for instance'' from 1953 in American English.^(Etymonline) A suit or process at law gave ''a court of first instance'', and hence ''in the first instance'', as a first step, in the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986) The verb meant to urge or entreat from 1425 to the mid-18th century,^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) and to cite an instance from 1601.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – urgency, entreaty.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – the present time.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1425 – verb, to urge.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1573 – a case cited in objection.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1601 – verb, to cite an example.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1650s – ''for instance''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 17th century – ''in the first instance''.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1953 – ''a for instance''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[example]] cited to prove or disprove a point.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A case or occurrence: ''in this instance''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A step in a process: ''in the first instance''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A request or suggestion: ''at the instance of the president''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(law)'' A legal proceeding; a suit.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Urgent solicitation.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To give as an example; to [[cite]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To show by an example; to [[exemplify]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[instancy]]

+ * [[instant]]

+ * [[instantaneous]]

+ * [[instantiate]]

+ * [[instantly]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[for instance]]

+ * [[stand]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}