Examples or cases of something occurring. Specific occurrences or situations that illustrate a general principle or pattern.
From Latin instantia (a standing near, urgency), from instans (present, pressing). Originally implied immediacy or urgency, evolved to mean specific examples or cases.
In computer science, an 'instance' of a program is like a single performance of a play - the same script running independently. This mirrors the word's evolution from meaning 'urgent moment' to 'specific example' - each instance is a unique moment in time.
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