Lexic.us

Definition of Instinct

1. Adjective. (followed by 'with')deeply filled or permeated. "It is replete with misery"

2. Noun. Inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli. "Altruistic instincts in social animals"

Definition of Instinct

1. a. Urged or stimulated from within; naturally moved or impelled; imbued; animated; alive; quick; as, birds instinct with life.

2. n. 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.

3. v. t. To impress, as an animating power, or instinct.

Definition of Instinct

1. Noun. A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour. ¹

2. Noun. An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought. ¹

3. Adjective. (archaic) Imbued, charged ((term with) something). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Instinct

1. an inborn behavioral pattern [n -S]

Medical Definition of Instinct

1. 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. 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. Origin: L. Instinctus instigation, impulse, fr. Instinguere to instigate: cf. F. Instinct. See Instinct. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Instinct

instilled instiller instillers instilling instillment instillments instills instilment instils instimulate

instimulated instimulates instimulating instimulation instimulations instinct (current term) instinct(p) instinction instinctive instinctive drift

instinctive reflex instinctively instinctivity instincts instinctual instinctually institute institute of medicine instituted instituter

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