adj.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' je-n ə -t ə l, kän-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin congenitus, from com- + genitus, past participle of gignere to bring forth ― more at KIN
Date: 1796
1 a : existing at or dating from birth < congenital deafness> b : constituting an essential characteristic : INHERENT < congenital fear of snakes> c : acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity < congenital syphilis>
2 : being such by nature <a congenital liar>
synonyms see INNATE
– con · gen · i · tal · ly \ -t ə l- ē \ adverb