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{%type%} Definitions

WordNet 3.0Copyright Princeton University
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Short "hint"

A natural or instinctive tendency to act so as to protect one's own existence

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Usage examples (37)
  • She clasped her forearm in her hand, squeezing with all her might in order to keep herself in check—to keep herself from lashing out in the name of self-preservation.
  • The instinct of self-preservation at once provoked
  • He likewise has a keen sense of self-preservation.
  • There's more than self-preservation at stake for Blair.
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The Open Dictionary of English is a collaborative project, based on Open Source materials, LearnThat resources, and partner APIs.
We give special thanks to our LearnThat volunteers, as well as Princeton University and Wiktionary for their Open Source word data. We're also grateful for the support given by Google, Wordnik.com, Dictionary.com, Stands4.com and YouTube, OEDILF.com, Kylescholz.com, Best-Practice.com, Forvo.com, as well as the generous Creative Commons community.