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Instinct - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Instinct : adj : (followed by `with')deeply filled or permeated; "imbued with
the spirit of the Reformation"; "words instinct with
love"; "it is replete with misery" [syn: instinct(p),
replete(p)]
(noun)
1: inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific
stimuli; "the spawning instinct in salmon"; "altruistic
instincts in social animals" [syn: inherent aptitude]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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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.
The chariot of paternal deity . . . Itself instinct
with spirit, but convoyed By four cherubic shapes.
--Milton.
A noble performance, instinct with sound principle.
--Brougham.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Instinct : \In"stinct\, n. [L. instinctus instigation, impulse,
fr. instinguere to instigate: cf. F. instinct. See
Instinct, a.]
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.
An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and
independent of instructions. --Paley.
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.
An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and
ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing
dangers. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by
which an animal is guided to the performance of any
action, without of improvement in the method.
The resemblance between what originally was a habit,
and an instinct becomes so close as not to be
distinguished. --Darwin.
3. A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an
instinct for order; to be modest by instinct.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Instinct : \In*stinct"\, v. t.
To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.]
--Bentley.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Example Usage of Instinct |
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ajrafael: I will be blogging about "Dustin" soon and how I've always had that Instinct about his antics. I send my love to all with a Real sickness. |
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scratchclothing: @TrishPretti there a twitter app for Instinct? |
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tomestpr: Great piece about gut Instinct! RT @tinybuddha 2 key tips to make things happen: http://bit.ly/6a9oyY |
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