Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Instinct
In-stinct′
,Adj.
[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 lifeThe chariot of paternal deity . . .
Itself
By four cherubic shapes.
Itself
instinct
with spirit, but convoyedBy four cherubic shapes.
Milton.
A noble performance,
instinct
with sound principle. Brougham.
In′stinct
(ĭn′stĭṉkt)
, Noun.
[L. ]
instinctus
instigation, impulse, fr. instinguere
to instigate: cf. F. instinct
. See Instinct
, Adj.
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
Ensuing dangers.
instinct
, men’s minds mistrustEnsuing dangers.
Shakespeare
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.
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-stĭṉkt′)
, Verb.
T.
To impress, as an animating power, or instinct.
[Obs.]
Bentley.
Webster 1828 Edition
Instinct
INSTINCT'
,Adj.
Moved; animated; excited; as instinct with spirit.
Betulia--instinct with life.