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   In·stinct

   noun

   • 1. an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli: "birds have an instinct to build nests"
   • ▪ a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking: "they retain their old authoritarian instincts" Similar natural tendencyinborn tendencyinherent tendencyinclinationinner promptingurgedrivecompulsionneedintuitionnatural feelingsixth sensesecond sightinsightnose
   • ▪ a natural propensity or skill of a specified kind: "his instinct for making the most of his chances" Similar talentgiftabilitycapacityfacilityfacultyaptitudeskillflairfeelgeniusknackbent
   • ▪ the fact or quality of possessing innate behavior patterns: "instinct told her not to ask the question"

   adjective

   • 1. imbued or filled with (a quality, especially a desirable one): formal "these canvases are instinct with passion"

   Word Origin late Middle English (also in the sense ‘instigation, impulse’): from Latin instinctus ‘impulse’, from the verb instinguere, from in- ‘towards’ + stinguere ‘to prick’.

   Scrabble Points: 10

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