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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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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