[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

instance \in"stance\, 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
see also:
instant causes of instance court of first instance for instance instance court example 

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Court, definition of term: Court
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Court Martial, definition of term: Court Martial
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Court Marshal, definition of term: Court Marshal
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Circuit Court, definition of term: Circuit Court
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Appellate Court, definition of term: Appellate Court
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At First >> A Words
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Appeals Court, definition of term: Appeals Court
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Court Of Record, definition of term: Court Of Record
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Court Of Appeal, definition of term: Court Of Appeal
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Court Of Common, definition of term: Court Of Common
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