In″stance (?), n. [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.]
1. The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion.
Undertook at her instance to restore them. Sir W. Scott.
2. That which is instant or urgent; motive.
The instances that second marriage move
Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. Shak.
3. Occasion; order of occurrence.
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.
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.