Instinct

In·stinct′ (ĭn·stĭn̲kt′), 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.

In′stinct (ĭn′stĭn̲kt), 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. (Zoöl.) Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without thought 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.

In·stinct′ (ĭn·stĭn̲kt′), v. t. To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.] Bentley.