intuition
UK: ˌɪn.tjuˈɪʃ.ən | US: ˌɪn.tuˈɪʃ.ən
n. The ability to understand or know something immediately without conscious reasoning.
n. A thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious thought.
intuition = in<into> + tuit<watch/look> + ion<noun suffix>
- in (Latin: "into, toward")
- tuit (from Latin tueri, meaning "to watch, guard, or look at")
- ion (noun-forming suffix indicating action or state)
Etymology Origin:
The word "intuition" traces back to the Latin intueri, meaning "to look at, consider." Over time, it evolved in Late Latin as intuitio ("a looking at, contemplation"), reflecting the idea of immediate insight gained by "looking inward." The morpheme tuit (from tueri) carries the core sense of observation, while the prefix in emphasizes inward focus. The suffix -ion formalizes the concept into a noun. This progression highlights how intuition bridges perception (looking) and cognition (knowing without reasoning).
She trusted her intuition and avoided the suspicious offer.
His intuition told him something was wrong with the plan.
Great artists often rely on intuition rather than strict logic.
The detective’s intuition led him to the hidden clue.
Scientific discoveries sometimes begin with a flash of intuition.