instinct
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L337797 on Wikidata ↗noun
- inherent inclination of a living organism
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/
adj
Etymology: From Latin īnstīnctus, past participle of īnstinguō (“to incite, to instigate”), from in (“in, on”) + stinguō (“to prick”).
- Imbued, charged (with something).
“The chariot of paternal deity […] / Itself instinct with spirit, but convoyed / By four cherubic shapes.”
“a noble performance, instinct with sound principle”
noun
Etymology: From Latin īnstīnctus, past participle of īnstinguō (“to incite, to instigate”), from in (“in, on”) + stinguō (“to prick”).
- A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.
“Many animals fear fire by instinct.”
“By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust / Ensuing dangers.”
- An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.
“an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct”
“Debbie's instinct was to distrust John.”