instinct
Noun · AdjectiveWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli“the spawning instinct in salmon”“altruistic instincts in social animals”Synonyms: inherent aptitude
Adjective (1)
- (followed by `with')deeply filled or permeated“imbued with the spirit of the Reformation”“words instinct with love”“it is replete with misery”Synonyms: instinct(p)replete(p)
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Instinct \In*stinct"\, a. [L. instinctus, p. p. of instinguere to instigate, incite; cf. instigare to instigate. Cf. Instigate, Distinguish.] Urged or stimulated from within; naturally moved or impelled; imbued; animated; alive; quick; as, birds instinct with life. [1913 Webster]
The chariot of paternal deity . . . Itself instinct with spirit, but convoyed By four cherubic shapes. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
A noble performance, instinct with sound principle. --Brougham. [1913 Webster]
Instinct \In"stinct\ ([i^]n"st[i^][ng]kt), n. [L. instinctus instigation, impulse, fr. instinguere to instigate: cf. F. instinct. See Instinct, a.] [1913 Webster]
1.Natural inward impulse; unconscious, involuntary, or unreasoning prompting to any mode of action, whether bodily, or mental, without a distinct apprehension of the end or object to be accomplished. [1913 Webster]
An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and independent of instructions.— Paley.[1913 Webster]
An instinct is a blind tendency to some mode of action, independent of any consideration, on the part of the agent, of the end to which the action leads.— Whately.[1913 Webster]
An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge.— Sir W. Hamilton.[1913 Webster]
By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing dangers.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
2.(Zool.) Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without thought of improvement in the method. [1913 Webster]
The resemblance between what originally was a habit, and an instinct becomes so close as not to be distinguished.— Darwin.[1913 Webster]
3.A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct. [1913 Webster]
Instinct \In*stinct"\ ([i^]n*st[i^][ng]kt"), v. t. To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.] --Bentley. [1913 Webster]