in·nate
(ĭ-nāt́, ĭńāt́)
[Middle English innat, from Latin innātus past participle of innāscī, to be born in, in-, in; see in–2, + nāscī, to be born.]
adjective
- Possessed at birth; inborn.
- Possessed as an essential characteristic; inherent.
- Of or produced by the mind rather than learned through experience: an innate knowledge of right and wrong.
derivatives
- in·natély
- adverb
- in·naténess
- noun
synonyms:
innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary These adjectives mean existing in a person or thing from birth or origin. Something that is innate seems essential to the nature, character, or constitution: innate common sense. Inborn strongly implies that something has been present since birth: inborn intelligence. What is inbred has often been ingrained through earliest training or associations: an inbred love of music. Congenital is applied principally to characteristics, especially defects, acquired during fetal development: a congenital disease. It is also used figuratively of characteristics or people with characteristics that are so deep-seated as to appear natural: a congenital pessimism; a congenital liar. Hereditary refers to what is transmitted by biological heredity ( a hereditary heart anomaly ) or by tradition: “that ignorance and superstitiousness hereditary to all sailors” (Herman Melville)
