instance | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

94 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.

finity (n.)

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

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.

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