INSTINCTS

Noun

instincts

plural of instinct

Source: Wiktionary


INSTINCT

In*stinct", a. Etym: [L. instinctus, p. p. of instinguere to instigate, incite; cf. instigare to instigate. Cf. Instigate, Distinguish.]

Definition: Urged or sas, 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, n. Etym: [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.)

Definition: Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without 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", v. t.

Definition: To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.] Bentley.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

3 February 2025

CRAZY

(adjective) possessed by inordinate excitement; “the crowd went crazy”; “was crazy to try his new bicycle”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee starts as a yellow berry, changes into a red berry, and then is picked by hand to harvest. The red berry is de-shelled through a water soaking process and what’s left inside is the green coffee bean. This bean then dries in the sun for 3-5 days, where it is then packed and ready for sale.

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