n.
Pronunciation: ' in- ˌ sti ŋ (k)t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin instinctus impulse, from instinguere to incite; akin to Latin instigare to instigate
Date: 15th century
1 : a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity <had an instinct for the right word>
2 a : a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason b : behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
– in · stinc · tu · al \ in- ' sti ŋ (k)-ch ə -w ə l, -ch ə l, -shw ə l, -chü- ə l \ adjective
– in · stinc · tu · al · ly adverb