First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
instill
verb in·still \in-ˈstil\
: to gradually cause someone to have (an attitude, feeling, etc.)
Full Definition of INSTILL
transitive verb
1
: to cause to enter drop by drop <instill medication into the infected eye>
2
: to impart gradually <instilling a love of learning in children>
— in·stil·la·tion \ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən, -(ˌ)sti-\ noun
— in·still·er \in-ˈsti-lər\ noun
— in·still·ment \-mənt\ noun
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Origin of INSTILL
Middle English, from Latin instillare, from in- + stillare to drip, from stilla drop
Synonym Discussion of INSTILL
implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind. implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught <implanted a love of reading in her students>. inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind <tried to inculcate in him high moral standards>. instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time <instill traditional values in your children>. inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas in many minds so that they spread through a class or nation <inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology>. infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought <infixed a chronic cynicism>.
Rhymes with INSTILL
anthill, at will, backfill, ball mill, bluegill, Brazil, breast drill, cranesbill, crossbill, de Mille, dentil, de-skill, distill, doorsill, downhill, duckbill, dullsville, dunghill, fire drill, foothill, freewill, free will, gin mill, goodwill, gristmill, handbill, hawksbill, hornbill, Huntsville, ill will, Knoxville, lambkill, landfill, limekiln, manille, McGill, Melville, mixed grill, molehill, mudsill, Nashville, no-till, pep pill, per mill, playbill, pot still, pug mill, quadrille, red squill, refill, roadkill, sawmill, Schuylkill, self-will, Seville, sheathbill, shoebill, show bill, sidehill, sigil, spadille, spoonbill, stabile, standstill, stock-still, storksbill, T-bill, treadmill, true bill, twin bill, twist drill, until, uphill, vaudeville, waxbill, waybill, windchill, windmill, Zangwill
INSTILLED Defined for Kids
instill
verb in·still \in-ˈstil\
in·stilledin·still·ing
Definition of INSTILL for Kids
: to put into the mind little by little <Patience with the ways of nature had been instilled in her by her father. — Jean Craighead George, Julie of the Wolves>
Medical Dictionary
instill
transitive verb in·still \in-ˈstil\
in·stilledin·still·ing
Medical Definition of INSTILL
: to cause to enter especially drop by drop <instill medication into the infected eye>
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