Webster's English Dictionary

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instinct

1. in.stinct \'in-.stin(k)t\ \in-'stin(k)-ch*(-w*)l, -'stin(k)sh-w*l\ n 
   [ME, fr. L instinctus impulse, fr. instinctus, pp. of instinguer]e to 
   incite; akin to L instigare to instigate 1: a natural aptitude, impulse, or 
   capacity  2a: complex and specific response by an organism to environmental 
   stimuli t hat is largely hereditary and unalterable, does not involve 
   reason, and has as its goal the removal of a somatic tension 2b: behavior 
   that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level  - in.stinc.tu.al 
   aj
2. in.stinct \in-'stin(k)t, 'in-.\ aj obs  1: impelled by an inner or 
   animating or exciting agency  2: IMBUED, INFUSED