• 1. a case or particular example
• 2. a specified stage in proceedings; step (in the phrases in the first, second, etc, instance )
• 3. urgent request or demand (esp in the phrase at the instance of )
• 4. an expression derived from another by instantiation
• 5. See substitution
• 6. motive or reason
• 7. to cite as an example
• 8. C14 (in the sense: case, example): from Medieval Latin instantia example, (in the sense: urgency) from Latin: a being close upon, presence, from inst a ns pressing upon,...

more