Instance \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. [Obs.] 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.

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