instinct
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin instinctus, past participle of instinguere (“to incite, to instigate”), from in (“in, on”) + stinguere (“to prick”)
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
instinct (plural instincts)
- A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.
- Many animals fear fire by instinct.
- 1921, Bertrand Russell, The Analysis of Mind:
- In spite of these qualifications, the broad distinction between instinct and habit is undeniable. To take extreme cases, every animal at birth can take food by instinct, before it has had opportunity to learn; on the other hand, no one can ride a bicycle by instinct, though, after learning, the necessary movements become just as automatic as if they were instinctive.
- An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.
- Debbie's instinct was to distrust John.
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
a natural or inherent impulse or behaviour
|
|
Adjective [edit]
instinct (comparative more instinct, superlative most instinct)
- (archaic) Imbued, charged (with something).
- 1928, HP Lovecraft, ‘The Call of Cthulhu’:
- This thing, which seemed instinct with a fearsome and unnatural malignancy, was of a somewhat bloated corpulence, and squatted evilly on a rectangular block or pedestal covered with undecipherable characters.
- 1928, HP Lovecraft, ‘The Call of Cthulhu’:
External links [edit]
- instinct in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- instinct in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
French [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Borrowed from Latin instinctus.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
instinct m (plural instincts)
