instinctual

Variant of instinct

instinct definition

in·stinct (in′stiŋkt′; for adj. in stiŋkt′, in′stiŋkt′)

noun

  1. (an) inborn tendency to behave in a way characteristic of a species; natural, unlearned, predictable response to stimuli suckling is an instinct in mammals
  2. a natural or acquired tendency, aptitude, or talent; bent; knack; gift an instinct for doing the right thing
  3. Psychoanalysis a primal psychic force or drive, as fear, love, or anger; specif., in Freudian analysis, either the life instinct (Eros) or the death instinct (Thanatos)

Etymology: < L instinctus, pp. of instinguere, to impel, instigate < in-, in + *stinguere, to prick: for IE base see stick

adjective

filled or charged (with) a look instinct with pity

Related Forms:

  • instinctual in·stinc′·tual (in stiŋk′c̸ho̵̅o̅ əl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.