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.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: To give an example. [Obs.]
This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too.
Jer. Taylor.
INSTANCY
In"stan*cy, n.
Defn: Instance; urgency. [Obs.] Those heavenly precepts which our Lord and Savior with so great instancy gave. Hooker.
INSTANT
In"stant, a. Etym: [L. instans, -antis, p. pr. of instare to stand
upon, to press upon; pref. in- in, on + stare to stand: cf. F. in.
See Stand.]