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innate
1
: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native
, inborn <innate behavior>
2
: belonging to the essential nature of something : inherent
3
: originating in or derived from the mind or the constitution of the intellect rather than from experience
— in·nate·ly adverb
— in·nate·ness noun
synonyms innate
, inborn
, inbred
, congenital
, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature <an innate sense of fair play>. inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so <her inborn love of nature>. inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way <inbred political loyalties>. congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors <a congenital heart murmur> <eye color is hereditary>.
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