All 3 Uses of
inherent
in
Moby Dick
- …that all other earthly hues—every stately or lovely emblazoning—the sweet tinges of sunset skies and woods; yea, and the gilded velvets of butterflies, and the butterfly cheeks of young girls; all these are but subtile deceits, not actually inherent in substances, but only laid on from without; so that all deified Nature absolutely paints like the harlot, whose allurements cover nothing but the charnel-house within; and when we proceed further, and consider that the mystical cosmetic…†
Chpt 40-42
- But in the great Sperm Whale, this high and mighty god-like dignity inherent in the brow is so immensely amplified, that gazing on it, in that full front view, you feel the Deity and the dread powers more forcibly than in beholding any other object in living nature.†
Chpt 79-81 *
- And besides other reasons, to this conclusion I am impelled, by considerations touching the great inherent dignity and sublimity of the Sperm Whale; I account him no common, shallow being, inasmuch as it is an undisputed fact that he is never found on soundings, or near shores; all other whales sometimes are.†
Chpt 85-87
Definition:
-
(inherent) existing as an inseparable part or characteristiceditor's notes: Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):
Less-common, but more specific synonyms include "innate" and "intrinsic."
You might choose "innate" when referring to a living entity's inherent characteristic since birth (e.g., an innate intelligence) or to a characteristic that is not obvious at first glance (e.g., "Government has an innate tendency to grow.")
You might choose "intrinsic" when referring to an inherent characteristic upon which other characteristics depend (e.g., "Steel beams were intrinsic to the design.")