first-instance
|first-in-stance|
🇺🇸
/fɝst ˈɪnstəns/
🇬🇧
/fɜːst ˈɪnstəns/
initial occurrence / first hearing
Etymology
'first-instance' originates from English, combining the adjective 'first' and the noun 'instance'. 'First' comes from Old English 'fyrst' meaning 'earliest', and 'instance' comes via Old French 'instance' from Latin 'instantia' meaning 'presence/occurrence'.
'first' evolved from Old English 'fyrst' into Middle English 'first'; 'instance' changed from Latin 'instantia' to Old French 'instance' and entered Middle English as 'instance', eventually forming the modern compound 'first-instance' to describe the initial occurrence or court.
Initially, 'instance' referred to 'presence' or 'a standing near' in Latin usage; over time it came to mean 'an occurrence, example, or formal application' in English, and combined with 'first' to indicate 'the initial occurrence or the initial trial'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the initial hearing, decision, or the court in which a legal matter is heard for the first time (trial level).
At first-instance, the judge ruled in favour of the plaintiff.
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Adjective 1
relating to matters handled at the trial level rather than on appeal (used before a noun).
They received a first-instance judgment that they plan to appeal.
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Adverb 1
initially; in the first place (used to indicate the first step or consideration).
In the first-instance, we should verify the contract terms before taking further action.
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Last updated: 2025/12/20 19:54