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 them. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That which is instant or urgent; motive. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The instances that second marriage move
Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Occasion; order of occurrence. [ 1913 Webster ] These seem as if, in the time of Edward I., they were drawn up into the form of a law, in the first instance. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example; as, we could find no instance of poisoning in the town within the past year. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] Most remarkable instances of suffering. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. A token; a sign; a symptom or indication. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
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; for example. --
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. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
