instantia Latin · revision 9175

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cicero|origins=la stō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''īnstantia''' ''f'' (genitive īnstantiae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from ⟨īnstāns⟩, the present participle of [[īnstō]] “to stand on, press on, be at hand”, with the suffix [[-ia]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Cicero, of being present or impending.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant the fact of being present or impending, as in Cicero's ''De fato'' and Nigidius, and in Pliny earnestness, insistence, urgency, concentration.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Medieval Latin it meant an earnest request, insistence, and force, pressure.^(Niermeyer 1976) British Medieval Latin used it for urgent necessity or business.^(DMLBS) Through Old French ''instance'' it gave [[en|instance]] in the late 14th century, first “urgency, insistence”.^(Etymonline) It survives in Italian ''istanza'' and Spanish ''instancia''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of presence.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''instance'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Presence, imminence.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Earnestness, [[m|en|insistence]], urgency.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An earnest request.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[īnstō]]

+ * [[īnstāns]]

+ * [[en|instance]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}