instance

authority

noun an-STAHNS Rare

Origin: Latin instantia (presence, urgency)

Also means

instance

Usage Note

Instance in French most commonly means an official body, court, or authority level (e.g. les instances européennes — European bodies). In a legal context en première instance means 'at first instance' (i.e. first-level court). The English sense of 'an instance of' is rendered in French by un cas de or un exemple de instead.

Examples

"Les instances dirigeantes ont approuvé le projet."

Natural Translation

The governing authorities approved the project.

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