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instill

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The definition of instill is to gradually and persistently introduce an idea or principle to a person.

(verb)

When parents teach their children good morals and values, this is an example of instill.

See instill in Webster's New World College Dictionary

or instil

transitive verb instilled, instilling

to put in drop by drop
to put (an idea, principle, feeling, etc.) in or into little by little; impart gradually

Origin: MFr instiller < L instillare < in-, in + stillare, to drop < stilla, a drop

Related Forms:

See instill in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also in·stil

transitive verb in·stilled, in·still·ing, in·stills also in·stils

To introduce by gradual, persistent efforts; implant: “Morality . . . may be instilled into their minds” (Thomas Jefferson).
To pour in (medicine, for example) drop by drop.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English instillen

Origin: , from Latin īnstīllāre

Origin: : in-, into; see in-²

Origin: + stīllāre, to drip, drop (from stīlla, drop)

Related Forms:

inˌstil·laˈtion (ĭnˌstə-lāˈshən) noun

in·stillˈer noun

in·stillˈment noun

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