Instilment

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The process of introducing and establishing ideas, traits, or values in an individual over a period of time
2. The gradual act of cultivating beliefs, qualities, or concepts within a person through repeated exposure
3. The act of gradually implanting thoughts, qualities, or principles in someone's mind over a length of time

Etymology: The word "instilment" is a noun built from "instil" plus the suffix "-ment," which turns a verb into a noun for the act or result of the action. "Instil" means to introduce an idea or feeling gradually into someone's mind, and the noun names the process of doing so, or what is introduced. Its meaning here, the teaching of values, follows that sense of slowly building a principle into a person over time. The base verb "instil" traces back through Latin, where "instillare" meant to drip in, combining "in-" with "stillare," to drip. That image of liquid falling drop by drop explains why the verb moved from physical dripping to the gradual shaping of the mind.

Synonyms: injection, implantation