instinct
    adj 1: (followed by `with')deeply filled or permeated; "imbued
           with the spirit of the Reformation"; "words instinct with
           love"; "it is replete with misery" [syn: instinct(p),
           replete(p)]
    n 1: inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific
         stimuli; "the spawning instinct in salmon"; "altruistic
         instincts in social animals" [syn: instinct, inherent
         aptitude]

Instinct \In*stinct"\, 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.
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         The chariot of paternal deity . . .
         Itself instinct with spirit, but convoyed
         By four cherubic shapes.                 --Milton.
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         A noble performance, instinct with sound principle.
                                                  --Brougham.
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Instinct \In"stinct\ ([i^]n"st[i^][ng]kt), n. [L. instinctus
   instigation, impulse, fr. instinguere to instigate: cf. F.
   instinct. See Instinct, a.]
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   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.
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            An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and
            independent of instructions.          --Paley.
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            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.
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            An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and
            ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.
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            By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust
            Ensuing dangers.                      --Shak.
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   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.
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            The resemblance between what originally was a habit,
            and an instinct becomes so close as not to be
            distinguished.                        --Darwin.
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   3. A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an
      instinct for order; to be modest by instinct.
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Instinct \In*stinct"\ ([i^]n*st[i^][ng]kt"), v. t.
   To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.]
   --Bentley.
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