Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of introducing a liquid drop by drop: The careful, gradual introduction of a liquid substance, typically into a body cavity, onto a surface, or into a system.
   • A liquid substance that is introduced drop by drop: The liquid itself that is administered in this manner, often for medicinal, therapeutic, or experimental purposes.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Act/Process):
  • The instillation of eye drops requires a steady hand.
  • The laboratory procedure involves the slow instillation of the reagent into the solution.
• Noun (Liquid Substance):
  • The prescribed instillation must be applied twice daily.
  • They tested the new antibiotic instillation on the culture.

Advanced Usage

• "Instillation of hope/confidence": A figurative use meaning the gradual introduction or fostering of an abstract quality.
  • The teacher's encouragement was a gentle instillation of confidence in the shy student.
• "Intravesical instillation": A specific medical procedure where a liquid drug is introduced drop by drop into the bladder.
  • The patient underwent intravesical instillation of chemotherapy.

Variants and Related Words

• Instill (verb): To introduce gradually or impart drop by drop.
  • She sought to instill a love of reading in her children.
• Instillator (noun): A device used for instilling a liquid.
  • The nurse used a sterilized instillator for the procedure.

Synonyms

• Introduction: The act of bringing something into use or operation.
• Administration: The process of giving or applying something, like a medicine.
• Infusion: The introduction of a substance into something, though often associated with steeping or a continuous flow rather than strictly drop-by-drop.

Related Phrases

• Dropwise instillation: Emphasizes the method of adding liquid one drop at a time.
  • Add the acid to the mixture via dropwise instillation to control the reaction.
• Instillation therapy: A treatment method based on introducing medicinal liquids.
  • Instillation therapy is common for certain bladder conditions.

Noun

1. a liquid that is instilled drop by drop
2. the introduction of a liquid (by pouring or injection) drop by drop