instinct /ˈɪnˌstɪŋkt/ noun plural instincts
plural instincts
Learner's definition of INSTINCT
1
a : a way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned : a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way天性；本能 [count]
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Our first instinct was to run.我们的本能第一反应就是跑。
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Cats possess a natural hunting instinct.猫有捕食天性。
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Seeing the baby aroused all her maternal instincts.看见这婴儿唤起了她所有的母性。
[noncount]
— see also killer instinct b : something you know without learning it or thinking about it直觉 [count]
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Her instincts told her that something was wrong. [=she believed that something was wrong even though there was no obvious reason to believe it]直觉告诉她有地方不对劲。
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You have to learn to trust/follow your instincts. [=to trust your feelings about what is right or true even when you cannot be sure that it is right or true]你得学会相信你的直觉/跟着第一感觉走。
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He has been guided throughout his career by his political instincts.整个从业期间，他都是为自己的政治直觉所引导。
[noncount]
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Mere instinct alerted her to the danger.仅凭直觉足以使她意识到处境的危险。
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He knew by instinct what not to say.凭直觉他知道什么不该说。
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She seemed to know by instinct that something was wrong.凭直觉她似乎觉得有地方不对劲。
— compare intuition 2
[count] : a natural ability本能；天赋的才能；天分 —
often + for —
sometimes followed by to + verb有时接动词不定式