instantia
ὀψὲ θεῶν ἀλέουσι μύλοι, ἀλέουσι δὲ λεπτά → the millstones of the gods grind late, but they grind fine | the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
instantĭa: ae, f. insto.
I Lit., a being near or close upon, hence presence: futura quorum consequenti tempore vera erit instantia, ea vera dicimus, Cic. Fat. 12, 27 B. and K.: infestus dicitur ab instantia atque imminentia fraudis, the immediate and threatening character of the injury, Nigid. ap. Gell. 9, 12, 6.—
II Trop., steadiness, constancy, perseverance; force, vehemence in speaking; earnestness in supplication, importunity, urgency (post-Aug.): quid est enim, quod haec instantia non possit efficere? Plin. Ep. 3, 5, 18: oratio maxime vi, amaritudine, instantiā placet, id. ib. 5, 8, 10; opp. tarditas, Sol. 2, 46: repetendi debiti instantia, Dig. 32, 1, 32: sed instantia Byrrhaenae perfecit, ut vellet, App. M. 2, p. 123, 38: pertinaci negare instantia, Amm. 28, 1, 19.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
īnstantĭa,¹⁵ æ, f. (instans),
1 [fig.] imminence, proximité, présence : Nigid. d. Gell. 9, 12, 6 ; Cic. Fato 27
2 application assidue (constante) : Plin. Min. Ep. 3, 5, 18 ; Sol. 2, 46 || allure pressante [du style], véhémence : Plin. Min. Ep. 5, 8, 10 || demande pressante, instances : Apul. M. 2, 20 ; Dig. 32, 1, 32.
Latin > German (Georges)
īnstantia, ae, f. (insto), eig. das Auf-dem-Nacken-Sein: dah. I) übtr., die Gegenwart, unmittelbare Nähe, Cic. de fato 27: instantia atque imminentia fraudis, Nigid. bei Gell. 9, 12, 6. – II) übtr.: a) die Emsigkeit, der anhaltende Fleiß, Plin. ep. 3, 5, 18: Ggstz. tarditas, Solin. 2, 46. – b) die Heftigkeit im Reden, Plin. ep. 5, 8, 10. – c) das Anhalten im Bitten und Fordern, inständiges Bitten, Drängen, ICt. u. Eccl.
