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instinct

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instinct

Main Entry:: ¹in·stinct
Pronunciation:: \ˈin-ˌstiŋ(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

Listen to the pronunciation of instinctual

\in-ˈstiŋ(k)-chə-wəl, -chəl, -shwəl, -chü-əl\ adjective

— in·stinc·tu·al·ly adverb

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