instill

Verb
US[in-stil]/ˌɪnˈstɪl/2 syllables
Synonyms: transfuseinstilimpressingraininculcateinfuseimpregnatetincture

Open English WordNet

Verb (5)instilled, instilling

  1. impart gradually“Her presence instilled faith into the children”“transfuse love of music into the students”Synonyms: transfuseMore general lend, impartMore specific breathe
  2. enter drop by drop“instill medication into my eye”Synonyms: instilMore general insert, infix
  3. produce or try to produce a vivid impression of“Mother tried to ingrain respect for our elders in us”Synonyms: impressingrainMore general affect, impress
  4. teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions“inculcate values into the young generation”Synonyms: inculcateinfuseMore general drillMore specific din
  5. fill, as with a certain quality“The heavy traffic tinctures the air with carbon monoxide”Synonyms: impregnateinfusetinctureMore general fill, fill up

Related words instilment noun, instilling noun

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expediteverb

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

In·still′ transitive verb [past tense & past participle Instilled; present participle & verbal noun Instilling.] [Written also instil.]

Origin: L. instillare, instillatum; pref. in- in + stillare to drop, fr. stilla a drop: cf. F. instiller. See Distill.

1. To drop in; to pour in drop by drop.

That starlight dews All silently their tears of love instill.— George Noel Gordon, Ld. Byron

2. Specifically: To infuse (knowledge or attitudes) into the mind of another, slowly or gradually; to impart gradually; to cause to be imbibed.

How hast thou instilled Thy malice into thousands.— John Milton

Synonyms: To infuse; impart; inspire; implant; inculcate; insinuate.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors

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