instance

/ˈin(t)-stən(t)s/

Middle English instaunce, instance "insistence, urging, urgent entreaty, present time, case, example," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin instantia "fact of being present or impending, insistence, urgency" (Medieval Latin also "illustrative example, lawsuit, objection, exception"), noun derivative of instant-, instans "pressing, urgent"

noun

  1. a step, stage, or situation viewed as part of a process or series of events

  2. the institution and prosecution of a lawsuit : suit

  3. an individual illustrative of a category or brought forward in support or disproof of a generalization

prefers, in this instance, to remain anonymous

instance case illustration example sample specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain. case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

verb

  1. to illustrate or demonstrate by an instance

  2. to mention as a case or example : cite

noun

  1. example

I'll give you a for instance