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instillare

to instill

verb een-steel-LAH-reh Rare
Mind & Emotions Attitudes

Origin: Latin instillare (to pour in drop by drop)

Also means

to instill (a value or idea)

Usage Note

Instillare literally means to put liquid drop by drop, but it is almost always used figuratively to mean gradually imparting a value, feeling, or idea into someone's mind. It pairs with abstract nouns: instillare fiducia (to instill trust), instillare paura (to instill fear). The auxiliary is avere, and it typically takes a direct object plus in + person: instillare il dubbio nella mente di qualcuno.

Examples

"I genitori cercano di instillare valori sani nei figli."

Natural Translation

Parents try to instill healthy values in their children.

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