Reading Theme:
Instill: Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：impart gradually (instill)
instill
/ɪnˈstɪl/
vt.
To slowly and gently make someone learn or believe an idea, attitude, or value over time.
impart gradually
➕
/ɪmˈpɑːrt ˈɡrædʒuəli/
vt.
To gradually and gently cause someone to accept an idea, attitude, or value.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'instillare': 'in' (into) + 'stillare' (to drip).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a still lake: you 'in-still' an idea like a drop ripples outward.
📖 Example
My parents always tried to instill in me the importance of kindness by helping our neighbors.
My parents always tried to instill in me the importance of kindness by helping our neighbors.
🔗 Collocations
instill confidence – To make someone feel confident over time
instill values – To gradually teach moral principles
instill discipline – To slowly develop self-control and orderliness
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
eradicate (vt.) – To destroy or remove something completely
remove (vt.) – To take something away from someone
discourage (vt.) – To cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm
🌱 Derivatives
instillation (n.) – The act or process of instilling
instillment (n.) – The act of instilling; something instilled
📖 Cultural Story
Instill entered English in the 15th century from Latin. It originally referred to dripping liquids, but metaphorically came to mean slowly introducing ideas, often used in parenting and education.
Meaning 2：drip slowly into (instill)
instill
/ɪnˈstɪl/
vt.
To put a liquid into something drop by drop, very slowly.
drip slowly into
➕
/drɪp ˈsloʊli ˈɪntu/
vt.
To put a liquid into something drop by drop, very slowly.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The gardener carefully instilled a few drops of nutrient solution into the soil around the delicate orchid.
The gardener carefully instilled a few drops of nutrient solution into the soil around the delicate orchid.
🔗 Collocations
instill medication (into the eye) – To slowly put liquid medicine into a specific area
instill essential oils – To add drops of aromatic plant extracts into a carrier
instill a solution – To add a liquid mixture drop by drop
🔄 Synonyms
drip (v.) – To fall or let fall in small drops
infuse (v.) – To steep or soak something in liquid to extract its active ingredients (or to inject slowly)
administer (v.) – To give or apply something, especially medicine, to someone
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
instillation (n.) – The act of putting a liquid in drops
instillment (n.) – The process of instilling; the liquid so instilled
Wordbook
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