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.

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.

3. Any object or truth discerned by direct cognition; especially, a first or primary truth.

• immediate cognition without the use of rational processes
  
• a perceptive insight gained by the use of this faculty