From Old French instance ('urgency, effort'), from Latin instantia ('presence, urgency'), literally 'a standing near', from instare ('to stand upon, press upon'), combining in- and stare ('to stand'). First recorded in English around 1340. The logical sense of 'a particular case or example' developed in the early 15th century via Medieval Latin translation of Greek enstasis. The phrase 'for instance' appeared in the 1650s.
What does instance mean?
Instance most commonly means a specific occurrence or case of something, as in 'for instance' or 'in this instance'. In computing it means a single running copy of a program or object.
What is the difference between instance and example?
Both refer to a specific case, but instance stresses that it is one occurrence within a pattern, while example stresses that it illustrates or clarifies a point.
What does 'for instance' mean?
'For instance' means 'for example'. It introduces a specific case that illustrates a general statement. First recorded in this sense in the 1650s.
What does instance mean in computing?
In computing, an instance is a single running copy of a program, application, or object. In object-oriented programming, an instance is one object created from a class.
What is the origin of the word instance?
Instance comes from Latin instantia, meaning 'a standing near' or 'urgency', from instare ('to stand upon'). It entered English via Old French around 1340.