instill
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (5)
- impart gradually“Her presence instilled faith into the children”“transfuse love of music into the students”Synonyms: transfuse
- enter drop by drop“instill medication into my eye”Synonyms: instil
- produce or try to produce a vivid impression of“Mother tried to ingrain respect for our elders in us”Synonyms: impressingrain
- teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions“inculcate values into the young generation”Synonyms: inculcateinfuse
- fill, as with a certain quality“The heavy traffic tinctures the air with carbon monoxide”Synonyms: impregnateinfusetincture
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Instill \In*still"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Instilling.] [L. instillare, instillatum; pref. in- in + stillare to drop, fr. stilla a drop: cf. F. instiller. See Distill.] [Written also instil.]
1.To drop in; to pour in drop by drop. [1913 Webster]
That starlight dews All silently their tears of love instill.— Byron.[1913 Webster]
2.Specifically: To infuse (knowledge or attitudes) into the mind of another, slowly or gradually; to impart gradually; to cause to be imbibed. [PJC]
How hast thou instilled Thy malice into thousands.— Milton.
Syn: To infuse; impart; inspire; implant; inculcate; insinuate. [1913 Webster]