instinct

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 ]

v. t. To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [ Obs. ] Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Instinct; incitement; inspiration. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. instinctif. ] Of or pertaining to instinct; derived from, or prompted by, instinct; of the nature of instinct; determined by natural impulse or propensity; acting or produced without reasoning, deliberation, instruction, or experience; spontaneous. “Instinctive motion.” Milton. “Instinctive dread.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

With taste instinctive give
Each grace appropriate. Mason. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have we had instinctive intimations of the death of some absent friends? Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The terms instinctive belief, instinctive judgment, instinctive cognition, are expressions not ill adapted to characterize a belief, judgment, or cognition, which, as the result of no anterior consciousness, is, like the products of animal instinct, the intelligent effect of (as far as we are concerned) an unknown cause. Sir H. Hamilton.

Syn. -- Natural; voluntary; spontaneous; original; innate; inherent; automatic. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an instinctive manner; by force of instinct; by natural impulse. [ 1913 Webster ]