Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - innate

 adjective  Etymology: Middle English innat, from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci to be born in, from in- + nasci to be born — more at nation  Date: 15th century  1. existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth ; native, inborn ~ behavior  2. belonging to the essential nature of something ; inherent  3. originating in or derived from the mind or the constitution of the intellect rather than from experience  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun Synonyms:  ~, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. ~ applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature an ~ sense of fair play. inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so her inborn love of nature. inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way inbred political loyalties. congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors a congenital heart murmur eye color is hereditary.