in·tu·i·tion ( n t -sh  n, -ty-)n. 1. a. The act or faculty of knowing or sensing without the use of rational processes; immediate cognition. See Synonyms at reason. b. Knowledge gained by the use of this faculty; a perceptive insight. 2. A sense of something not evident or deducible; an impression. [Middle English intuicioun, insight, from Late Latin intuiti  , intuitin-, a looking at, from Latin intuitus, a look, from past participle of intu r , to look at, contemplate : in-, on; see in-2 + tur, to look at.]in tu·ition·al adj.in tu·ition·al·ly adv. |
intuition [ˌɪntjʊˈɪʃən]
Intuition
by ear Relying on an innate sense of what sounds or feels right; without referring to, or depending upon prescribed procedures or written music. This use of ear, referring to an ability to recognize musical intervals, dates from the early 16th century. At that time, play it by ear meant to sing or play an instrument without printed music. By the 19th century, the same phrase came to mean to proceed one step at a time, trusting intuition and a subtle sense of timing, rather than a prearranged plan, to determine the proper course of action.
“What happens then?” “I don’t know…. We’re playing it by ear at the moment.” (A. Smith, East-Enders, 1961)
Both this figurative use and the earlier one heard in musical contexts are current today.
by the seat of one’s pants By instinct or intuition; just barely, narrowly. This expression was originally an aviation term meaning to fly without instruments, and thus to be forced to rely upon the instincts acquired through past experience. The sense of ‘just barely, narrowly’ would seem to be an outgrowth of this aviation use, since a pilot flying by the seat of his pants is apt to escape disaster by a very narrow margin.
feel in one’s bones To intuit; to sense something before it becomes apparent. This expression probably stems from the ability of people who suffer from bone diseases such as arthritis and rheumatism to predict changes in the weather because of increased pain. This ability is due to the fact that changes in atmospheric pressure and humidity may affect the bones and joints of such individuals. Since changes in pressure and humidity often precede a change in the weather, these people seem to sense the change before it becomes apparent. In its current usage, feel in one’s bones is no longer limited to people with bone disorders or to changes in the weather.
follow one’s nose To be guided by instinct, to play it by ear. The expression clearly derives from an animal’s keen and usually unerring sense of smell. The phrase was used figuratively as early as 1692 by Richard Bentley in one of his Boyle lectures:
The main maxim of his philosophy was, to trust to his senses, and follow his nose.
The expression also has the similar but somewhat less figurative meaning of ‘go straight forward, continue on in a direct course.’
know which way the wind blows See SHREWDNESS.
a little bird An undisclosed source; a secret witness; intuition. This phrase refers to the ubiquitous yet unobtrusive nature of a small bird that, theoretically at least, is able to observe many covert goings-on as it flies through the air. Since the beginning of recorded history (and no doubt before), birds have been respected and, at times, revered for their godlike powers of flight and sight. Many Greek and Roman soothsayers cited their purported understanding of avian language as a source of their knowledge and intuitive or psychic abilities. According to the Koran, the sacred book of Islam, Solomon was advised of Queen Sheba’s activities by a tiny lapwing, and Muhammad himself was counseled by a pigeon. In addition, some early religious woodcuts show various popes listening to the whispered advice of a small bird. These and many other legends have given rise to the almost universal adage, a little bird told me, an expression indicating that the speaker knows a secret or other confidential matter by virtue of intuition or some undisclosed source.
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry thy voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. (Ecclesiastes 10:20)
We bear our civil swords and native fire
As far as France. I heard a bird so sing,
Whose music, to my thinking, pleased the king.
(Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part II V,v)
my little finger told me that See OMEN.
rule of thumb See CRITERION.
a shot in the dark A wild guess; a random conjecture. This widely used expression combines shot ‘an attempt’ with the phrase in the dark ‘uninformed’ to imply that a given conjecture is made without the benefit of relevant information or assistance. In most cases, however, a “shot in the dark” does involve an element of intuitive reasoning. “Shot in the Dark” was the title of an amusing 1964 movie that starred Peter Sellers as the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau.
| Noun | 1. | intuition - instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes) basic cognitive process - cognitive processes involved in obtaining and storing knowledge intuitive feeling, feeling - an intuitive understanding of something; "he had a great feeling for music" gnosis - intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths; said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics sixth sense, insight - grasping the inner nature of things intuitively immediate apprehension, immediacy - immediate intuitive awareness inspiration - a sudden intuition as part of solving a problem |
| 2. | intuition - an impression that something might be the case; "he had an intuition that something had gone wrong" impression, notion, belief, feeling, opinion - a vague idea in which some confidence is placed; "his impression of her was favorable"; "what are your feelings about the crisis?"; "it strengthened my belief in his sincerity"; "I had a feeling that she was lying" |
intuition
Her intuition was telling her that something was wrong → Son intuition lui disait que quelque chose n'allait pas.
feminine intuition → l'intuition féminine
intuition → حَدَسْ intuice intuition Intuition διαίσθηση intuición intuitio intuition intuicija intuizione 直感 직관 intuïtie intuisjon intuicja intuição интуиция intuition การรู้โดยสัญชาตญาณ önsezi trực giác 直觉
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|