instance | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

96 entries found.

"cite as an instance" (in the logical sense), c. 1600, from instance (n.). Middle English had a verb instauncen "to plead with, urge, entreat." Related: Instanced; instancing.

instance (n.)

late 14c., "urgency, insistence" (a sense now archaic), from Old French instance "effort, application; urgency, eagerness, anxiety" (13c.), from Latin instantia "presence, effort, intention; earnestness, urgency," literally "a standing near," from instans (see instant).

In logic, "a fact, a case, an example" (a sense in English from early 15c.), from Medieval Latin instantia, which translated Greek enstasis. This led to for instance "as an example" (1650s), and the noun phrase give (someone) a for instance (1953, American English). The general sense "anything that illustrates a general type" was in use by 19c.

instantiate (v.)

"represent by an instance," 1946, from instance (Latin instantia) + -ate. Related: Instantiated; instantiation.

sighting (n.)

"instance of catching sight," 1853, verbal noun from sight (v.).

geese (n.)

plural of goose (n.). An instance of i-mutation.

proration (n.)

"an act or instance of prorating," 1893, noun of action from prorate (v.).

generalization (n.)

1761, "act of generalizing," from generalize + noun ending -ation. Meaning "an instance of generalizing, an induction, a general inference" is from 1794.

improbability (n.)

1590s, "fact or quality of being improbable;" see improbable + -ity. Meaning "an instance of something improbable" is from 1610s.

gray (v.)

"become gray, wither," 1610s (with an isolated instance from late 14c.), from gray (adj.). Related: Grayed; graying.

finity (n.)

1670s, "an instance of finiteness," from French finité, from fini, past participle of finir "to bound," from Latin finire (see finite).

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