In`tu*i"tion (?), n. [L.
intuitus, p. p. of intueri to look on; in- in,
on + tueri: cf. F. intuition. See Tuition.]
1. A looking after; a regard to.
[Obs.]
What, no reflection on a reward! He might have an
intuition at it, as the encouragement, though not the cause,
of his pains.
Fuller.
2. Direct apprehension or cognition;
immediate knowledge, as in perception or consciousness; --
distinguished from "mediate" knowledge, as in reasoning; as, the mind
knows by intuition that black is not white, that a circle is
not a square, that three are more than two, etc.; quick or ready
insight or apprehension.
Sagacity and a nameless something more, -- let us call
it intuition.
Hawthorne.
3. Any object or truth discerned by direct
cognition; especially, a first or primary truth.