browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about instinctive
instinctive |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Instinctive \In*stinc"tive\, a. [Cf. F. instinctif.] Of or pertaining to instinct; derived from or prompted by instinct; of the nature of instinct; determined by natural impulse or propensity; acting or produced without reasoning, deliberation, instruction, or experience; spontaneous. ``Instinctive motion.'' --Milton. ``Instinctive dread.'' --Cowper. With taste instinctive give Each grace appropriate. --Mason. Have we had instinctive intimations of the death of some absent friends? --Bp. Hall. Note: The terms instinctive belief, instinctive judgment, instinctive cognition, are expressions not ill adapted to characterize a belief, judgment, or cognition, which as the result of no anterior consciousness, is like the products of animal instinct, the intelligent effect of (as far as we are concerned) an unknown cause --Sir H. Hamilton. Syn: Natural; voluntary; spontaneous; original; innate; inherent; automatic. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: instinctive adj 1: prompted by instinct; "an instinctive fear of snakes"; "instinctual behavior" [syn: {instinctual}] 2: unthinking; as if prompted by instinct; "an instinctive mistrust of bureaucrats"; "offering to help was as instinctive as breathing"
more about instinctive