Definitions for instinctˈɪn stɪŋkt

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

in•stinctˈɪn stɪŋkt(n.)

an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species.
a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency.
a natural aptitude or gift:
an instinct for making money.
natural intuitive power.

Origin of instinct:

1375–1425; late ME < L instinctus prompting, instigation, enthusiasm =*insting(uere) (in-in -2+*sting(u)ere presumably, to prick; see distinct ) +-tus suffix of v. action

in•stinctɪnˈstɪŋkt(adj.)

filled or infused with some animating principle (usu. fol. by with):
instinct with life.

Origin of instinct:

1530–40; < L instinctus excited, roused, inspired, ptp. of *insting(u)ere; see instinct1

Princeton's WordNet

instinct, inherent aptitude(adj)
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
"the spawning instinct in salmon"; "altruistic instincts in social animals"
instinct(p), replete(p)(adj)
(followed by `with')deeply filled or permeated
"imbued with the spirit of the Reformation"; "words instinct with love"; "it is replete with misery"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

instinct(noun)ɪnˈstɪŋkt
natural reactions and abilities that are done without thinking
the animal's instinct to protect its young; He has an instinct for relating to ordinary people.; It's best to trust your instincts when deciding who to hire.

Wiktionary

instinct(Noun)
A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.
Many animals fear fire by instinct.
instinct(Noun)
An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.
Debbie's instinct was to distrust John.
instinct(Adjective)
Urged or stimulated from within, infused

Origin: From instinctus, past participle of instinguere, from in + stinguere

Webster Dictionary

Instinct(adj)
urged or stimulated from within; naturally moved or impelled; imbued; animated; alive; quick; as, birds instinct with life
Instinct(adj)
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
Instinct(adj)
specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without of improvement in the method
Instinct(adj)
a natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct
Instinct(verb)
to impress, as an animating power, or instinct

U.S. National Library of Medicine

Instinct
Stereotyped patterns of response, characteristic of a given species, that have been phylogenetically adapted to a specific type of situation.