Instinct

Instinct
Instinct In"stinct ([i^]n"st[i^][ng]kt), n. [L. instinctus instigation, impulse, fr. instinguere to instigate: cf. F. instinct. See {Instinct}, a.] [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]

An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and independent of instructions. --Paley. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]

By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing dangers. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zo["o]l.) Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without thought of improvement in the method. [1913 Webster]

The resemblance between what originally was a habit, and an instinct becomes so close as not to be distinguished. --Darwin. [1913 Webster]

3. A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • INSTINCT — L’éthologie comparative, qui cherche à retracer, à l’aide de comparaisons interspécifiques, l’évolution des comportements à travers la série zoologique, propose une théorie renouvelée des instincts et définit ces derniers comme des actes propres… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Instinct — • The term usually includes the idea of a purposive adaptation of an action or series of actions in an organized being, not governed by consciousness of the end to be attained Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Instinct     Instinc …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Instinct — is the inherent disposition of a living organism toward a particular behavior. Instincts are unlearned, inherited fixed action patterns of responses or reactions to certain kinds of stimuli. Examples of instinctual fixed action patterns can be… …   Wikipedia

  • instinct — INSTÍNCT, instincte, s.n. Complex de reflexe înnăscute, necondiţionate, proprii indivizilor dintr o anumită specie şi care le asigură dezvoltarea organismului, alimentarea, reproducerea, apărarea. – Din fr. instinct, lat. instinctus. Trimis de… …   Dicționar Român

  • instinct — INSTINCT. s. m. Certain sentiment & mouvement que la nature a donné aux animaux pour connoistre ce qui leur est bon ou mauvais. Un instinct naturel. les bestes ont l instinct qui les fait agir, se conduisent, se gouvernent par l instinct, par pur …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • instinct — [in′stiŋkt΄; ] for adj. [ in stiŋkt′, in′stiŋkt΄] n. [< L instinctus, pp. of instinguere, to impel, instigate < in , in + * stinguere, to prick: for IE base see STICK] 1. (an) inborn tendency to behave in a way characteristic of a species;… …   English World dictionary

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Instinct — Разработчик …   Википедия

  • Instinct — (ISSN 1096 0058) ist eine US amerikanische Zeitschrift. Die Zeitschrift richtet sich an homosexuelle und bisexuelle Männer in den Vereinigten Staaten. Das Magazin wird seit 1997 monatlich in englischer Sprache landesweit herausgegeben, Die… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Instinct — In*stinct ([i^]n*st[i^][ng]kt ), v. t. To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.] Bentley. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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