mid-14c., "urgency," from Old French instance "eagerness, anxiety, solicitation" (13c.), from Latin instantia "presence, effort intention; earnestness, urgency," literally "a standing near," from instans (see instant). In Scholastic logic, "a fact or example" (early 15c.), from Medieval Latin instantia, used to translate Greek enstasis. This led to use in phrase for instance "as an example" (1650s), and the noun phrase To give (someone) a for instance (1953, American English).
雙語例句
1. The rally was organised at the instance of two senior cabinet ministers.
集會是應兩位資深內閣大臣的要求組織的。
來自柯林斯例句
2. It is not a unique instance , but has its counterpart.
無獨有偶.
來自《現代漢英綜合大詞典》
3. There are jobs more dangerous than truck driving; for instance, training lions.
有的工作比駕駛卡車更危險, 例如馴獅.
來自《現代漢英綜合大詞典》
4. This was the instance that occured first to my mind.