'Instinct' definitions:

Definition of 'instinct'

(from WordNet)
adjective
(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
Inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli; "the spawning instinct in salmon"; "altruistic instincts in social animals" [syn: instinct, inherent aptitude]

Definition of 'Instinct'

From: GCIDE
  • Instinct \In*stinct"\ ([i^]n*st[i^][ng]kt"), v. t. To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.] --Bentley. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Instinct'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Instinct'

From: 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]

Synonyms of 'instinct'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Instinct'