Part 286

2. Lack of determination of fixedness; inconstancy; fickleness; mutability; changeableness; as, instability of character, temper, custom, etc. Addison.

Syn. -- Inconstancy; fickleness; changeableness; wavering; unsteadiness; unstableness.

In*sta"ble (?), a. [L. instabilis: cf. F. instable. See In- not, and Stable, a., and cf. Unstable.] Not stable; not standing fast or firm; unstable; prone to change or recede from a purpose; mutable; inconstant.

In*sta"ble*ness, n. Instability; unstableness.

In*stall" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Installed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Installing.] [F. installer, LL. installare, fr. pref. in- in + OHG. stal a place, stall, G. stall, akin to E. stall: cf. It. installare. See Stall.] [Written also instal.]

1. To set in a seat; to give a place to; establish (one) in a place.

She installed her guest hospitably by the fireside.

Sir W. Scott.

2. To place in an office, rank, or order; to invest with any charge by the usual ceremonies; to instate; to induct; as, to install an ordained minister as pastor of a church; to install a college president.

Unworthily Thou wast installed in that high degree.

Shak.

In`stal*la"tion (?), n. [F. installation, LL. installatio: cf. It. installazione. See Install.]

1. The act of installing or giving possession of an office, rank, or order, with the usual rites or ceremonies; as, the installation of an ordained minister in a parish.

On the election, the bishop gives a mandate for his installation.

Ayliffe.

2. (Mech.) The whole of a system of machines, apparatus, and accessories, when set up and arranged for practical working, as in electric lighting, transmission of power, etc.

In*stall"ment (?), n. [Written also instalment.]

1. The act of installing; installation.

Take oaths from all kings and magistrates at their installment, to do impartial justice by law.

Milton.

2. The seat in which one is placed. [Obs.]

The several chairs of order, look, you scour; . . . Each fair installment, coat, and several crest With loyal blazon, evermore be blest.

Shak.

3. A portion of a debt, or sum of money, which is divided into portions that are made payable at different times. Payment by installment is payment by parts at different times, the amounts and times being often definitely stipulated. Bouvier.

In*stamp" (?), v. t. See Enstamp.

In"stance (?), n. [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.]

1. The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion.

Undertook at her instance to restore them.