I.“instaturos,” Front. Strat. 2, 6, 10 al.), 1, v. n., to stand in or upon a thing (class.).
I. Lit.
A. In gen., constr. with dat., in and abl., or acc.
(β).
With in and abl.: saxo in globoso, Pac. ap. Auct. Her. 2, 23, 36 (Trag. Fragm. v. 367 Rib.): “instans in medio triclinio,” Suet. Tib. 72.—
(γ).
Absol., to draw nigh, approach; to impend, threaten: “quibus ego confido impendere fatum aliquod, et poenas jam diu debitas aut instare jam plane, aut certe jam appropinquare,” Cic. Cat. 2, 5: “instant apparatissimi magnificentissimique ludi,” id. Pis. 27: “cum illi iter instaret,” id. Att. 13, 23: “quidquid subiti et magni discriminis instat,” Juv. 6, 520: “ante factis omissis, illud quod instet, agi oportere,” the subject in hand, Cic. Inv. 2, 11, 37. — “Of persons: cum legionibus instare Varum,” Caes. B. C. 2, 43.—
B. In partic., to press upon, harass, molest, menace, threaten.—With dat., acc., or absol.
(α).
With dat.: “cedenti,” Liv. 10, 36: “vestigiis,” id. 27, 12, 9: “instantem regi cometen videre,” Juv. 6, 407.—
II. Trop.
A. To urge or press upon one, to insist; to pursue a thing (syn. urgeo): “quamobrem urge, insta, perfice,” Cic. Att. 13, 32, 1: “accusatori,” id. Font. 1: “ille instat factum (esse),” he insists upon the fact, Ter. And. 1, 1, 120.—To follow up eagerly, pursue; with dat. or acc.
(α).
With dat.: “instant operi regnisque futuris,” Verg. A. 1, 504: “talibus instans monitis (parens),” Juv. 14, 210: “non ignarus instandum famae,” Tac. Agr. 18.—
(β).
With acc., to urge forward, ply, transact with zeal or diligence: instant mercaturam, Nov. ap. Non. 212, 30 (Com. Rel. p. 223 Rib.): “parte aliā Marti currumque, rotasque volucres Instabant,” were hastening forward, working hard at, busily constructing, Verg. A. 8, 434: rectam viam, to go right, i. e. to be right, to hit the mark, Plaut. As. 1, 1, 40: “unum instare de indutiis vehementissime contendere,” Caes. B. C. 3, 17, 5; cf. Zumpt, Gram. § 385.—
B. To demand earnestly, solicit, insist upon: “satis est, quod instat de Milone,” Cic. Q. Fr. 3, 2: “quod profecto cum sua sponte, tum, te instante, faciet,” at your instance, your solicitation, id. Att. 3, 15.— With inf.: “instat Scandilius poscere recuperatores,” Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 59, § 136.—With ut or ne: “tibi instat Hortensius, ut eas in consilium,” Cic. Quint. 10: “uxor acriter tua instat, ne mihi detur,” Plaut. Cas. 2, 5, 33; cf.: “nunc nosmet ipsi nobis instemus, ut, etc.,” Auct. Her. 4, 56, 69.—Impers.: “profecto, si instetur, suo milite vinci Romam posse,” Liv. 2, 44.—Hence, instans , antis, P. a.
A. (Standing by, being near, i. e.) Present.
1. In gen.: “quae venientia metuuntur, eadem efficiunt aegritudinem instantia,” Cic. Tusc. 4, 6, 11: “ex controversia futuri, raro etiam ex instantis aut facti,” id. de Or. 2, 25, 105: “tempus,” Auct. Her. 2, 5, 8: “bellum,” Cic. Phil. 11, 10, 24.—
2. In partic., gram. t. t.: “tempus, i.q. praesens tempus,” the present tense, the present, Quint. 5, 10, 42; Charis. p. 147 P. et saep.—
B. Pressing, urgent, importunate (post-Aug.): “periculum,” Nep. Paus. 3, 5: “species terribilior jam et instantior,” Tac. H. 4, 83: “gestus acer atque instans,” Quint. 11, 3, 92 sq.; cf.: “argumentatio acrior et instantior,” id. ib. § 164: “admonitio instantior,” Gell. 13, 24, 19.—Adv.: instanter , vehemently, earnestly, pressingly: “intente instanterque pronuntiare,” Plin. Ep. 5, 19, 6: “petere,” id. ib. 5, 7, 22: “plura acriter et instanter incipere,” Quint. 9, 3, 30: “dicere,” id. 9, 4, 126.— Comp.: “instantius concurrere,” to fight more vehemently, Tac. A. 6, 35. — Sup.: “instantissime desiderare,” Gell. 4, 18.
