To gradually put an idea, feeling, or quality into someone's mind or heart over time.
From Latin 'instillare' meaning 'to pour in drop by drop', combining 'in-' (into) and 'stillare' (to drip). The metaphor of pouring liquid drop by drop was used to describe gradually teaching or influencing someone.
Instill literally means to drip something in—so parents instill values in their children the same way water gradually wears away a stone, one drop at a time.
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