Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Instinct \In*stinct"\, a. [L. instinctus, p. p. of instinguere
   to instigate, incite; cf. instigare to instigate. Cf.
   {Instigate}, {Distinguish}.]
   Urged or stimulated from within; naturally moved or impelled;
   imbued; animated; alive; quick; as, birds instinct with life.

         The chariot of paternal deity . . . Itself instinct
         with spirit, but convoyed By four cherubic shapes.
                                                  --Milton.

         A noble performance, instinct with sound principle.
                                                  --Brougham.

Instinct \In"stinct\, n. [L. instinctus instigation, impulse,
   fr. instinguere to instigate: cf. F. instinct. See
   {Instinct}, a.]
   1. 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.

            An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and
            independent of instructions.          --Paley.

            An instinct is a blind tendency to some mode of
            action, independent of any consideration, on the
            part of the agent, of the end to which the action
            leads.                                --Whately.

            An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and
            ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.

            By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing
            dangers.                              --Shak.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by
      which an animal is guided to the performance of any
      action, without of improvement in the method.

            The resemblance between what originally was a habit,
            and an instinct becomes so close as not to be
            distinguished.                        --Darwin.

   3. A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an
      instinct for order; to be modest by instinct.

Instinct \In*stinct"\, v. t.
   To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.]
   --Bentley.

Source : WordNet®

instinct
     n : inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific
         stimuli; "the spawning instinct in salmon"; "altruistic
         instincts in social animals" [syn: {inherent aptitude}]

instinct
     adj : (followed by `with')deeply filled or permeated; "imbued with
           the spirit of the Reformation"; "words instinct with
           love"; "it is replete with misery" [syn: {instinct(p)},
            {replete(p)}]