3 VERB [usu passive] If a book, work of art, or action is inspired by something, that thing is the source of the idea for it. □ [be V -ed + by ] The book was inspired by a real person, namely Tamara de Treaux. □ [V -ed] …a political murder inspired by the same nationalist conflicts now wrecking the country. ● -inspired COMB □ …Mediterranean-inspired ceramics in bright yellow and blue.
4 VERB Someone or something that inspires a particular emotion or reaction in people makes them feel this emotion or reaction. □ [V n] The car's performance quickly inspires confidence.
in|spir|ing / I nspa I ə r I ŋ/ ADJ Something or someone that is inspiring is exciting and makes you feel strongly interested and enthusiastic… □ She was one of the most inspiring people I've ever met.
Inst. N‑COUNT Inst. is a written abbreviation for institute or institution . □ …the Liverpool Inst. of Higher Ed.
in|stabil|ity / I nstəb I l I ti/ (instabilities ) N‑UNCOUNT Instability is the quality of being unstable. □ …unpopular policies, which resulted in social discontent and political instability.
in|stall ◆◇◇ / I nstɔː l/ (installs , installing , installed ) also instal
1 VERB If you install a piece of equipment, you fit it or put it somewhere so that it is ready to be used. □ [V n] They had installed a new phone line in the apartment. ● in|stal|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Hundreds of lives could be saved if the installation of alarms was more widespread.
2 VERB If someone is installed in a new job or important position, they are officially given the job or position, often in a special ceremony. □ [be V -ed] Almost a century of upheaval ended when William III of Orange was installed on the throne. □ [be V -ed + as ] The opposition candidate of the previous May was installed as president. □ [V n] The army has promised to install a new government within a week. [Also V n as n] ● in|stal|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ [+ as ] He sent a letter inviting Naomi to attend his installation as chief of his tribe.
3 VERB If you install yourself in a particular place, you settle there and make yourself comfortable. [FORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl prep/adv] She had installed herself and her daughter, Cathy, in a villa.
in|stal|la|tion / I nstəle I ʃ ə n/ (installations )
1 N‑COUNT An installation is a place that contains equipment and machinery which are being used for a particular purpose. □ …a nuclear installation.
2 → see also install
in|sta ll|ment plan (installment plans ) N‑COUNT An installment plan is a way of buying goods gradually. You make regular payments to the seller until, after some time, you have paid the full price and the goods belong to you. [AM ] in BRIT, use hire purchase
in|stal|ment / I nstɔː lmənt/ (instalments ) in AM, use installment 1 N‑COUNT If you pay for something in instalments , you pay small sums of money at regular intervals over a period of time, rather than paying the whole amount at once. □ [+ of ] The first instalment of £1 per share is payable on application.
2 N‑COUNT An instalment of a story or plan is one of its parts that are published or carried out separately one after the other. □ [+ of ] …the disappointing third instalment of the Highlander series.
in|stance ◆◆◇ / I nstəns/ (instances )
1 PHRASE You use for instance to introduce a particular event, situation, or person that is an example of what you are talking about. □ There are a number of improvements; for instance, both mouse buttons can now be used.
2 N‑COUNT An instance is a particular example or occurrence of something. □ [+ of ] …an investigation into a serious instance of corruption.
3 PHRASE You say in the first instance to mention something that is the first step in a series of actions. □ In the first instance your child will be seen by an ear, nose and throat specialist. SYNONYMS instance NOUN 2
example: The doctors gave numerous examples of patients being expelled from hospital.
case: In extreme cases, insurance companies can prosecute for fraud.
occurrence: Complaints seemed to be an everyday occurrence.
occasion: Mr Davis has been asked on a number of occasions.
in|stant ◆◇◇ / I nstənt/ (instants )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] An instant is an extremely short period of time. □ For an instant, Catherine was tempted to flee. □ The pain disappeared in an instant.
2 N‑SING [usu at/in N ] If you say that something happens at a particular instant , you mean that it happens at exactly the time you have been referring to, and you are usually suggesting that it happens quickly or immediately. □ At that instant the museum was plunged into total darkness.
3 PHRASE To do something the instant something else happens means to do it immediately. [EMPHASIS ] □ I had bolted the door the instant I had seen the bat.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use instant to describe something that happens immediately. □ He had taken an instant dislike to Mortlake. ● in|stant|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ The man was killed instantly.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Instant food is food that you can prepare very quickly, for example by just adding water. □ …instant coffee. SYNONYMS instant NOUN 1