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Added 9 October 2026

instinct

/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/ noun

Latin root: īnstīnctus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about instinct at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.
Many animals fear fire by instinct.
An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.
an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct

adjective

Imbued, charged (with something).

Origin

From Latin īnstīnctus, past participle of īnstinguō (“to incite, to instigate”), from in (“in, on”) + stinguō (“to prick”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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