instinctive
UK[ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv]US[ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv]
adj
relating to or prompted by instinct; done without conscious thought.
adj
based on natural instinct or innate tendency.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
stinct
ive
in
in, on
stinct
prick, goad
ive
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word "instinctive" originates from the latin verb instinguere, meaning "to incite, to impel," itself formed from the prefix in- ("upon") and stinguere ("to prick, goad"). the core notion is of an internal goading or prompting. this evolved through late latin instinctus ("impulse") to describe an innate, compelling drive in humans and animals. the modern adjective "instinctive," formed by adding the suffix -ive, thus describes actions or feelings arising from this innate, internal impetus rather than from conscious reasoning.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, on) + stinct (prick, goad) + ive (adjective suffix)
- in: a latin prefix meaning "in, on, upon".
- stinct: from latin stingere (to prick, goad), the past participle stem of stinguere.
- ive: a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning "of the nature of" or "tending to".
Examples
she had an instinctive distrust of strangers.
his instinctive reaction was to duck.
good players have an instinctive feel for the game.