instill

Verb

WordNet 3.0

Verb (5)

  1. impart gradually“Her presence instilled faith into the children”“transfuse love of music into the students”Synonyms: transfuse
  2. enter drop by drop“instill medication into my eye”Synonyms: instil
  3. produce or try to produce a vivid impression of“Mother tried to ingrain respect for our elders in us”Synonyms: impressingrain
  4. teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions“inculcate values into the young generation”Synonyms: inculcateinfuse
  5. fill, as with a certain quality“The heavy traffic tinctures the air with carbon monoxide”Synonyms: impregnateinfusetincture
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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]

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