Present from birth, especially referring to medical conditions or traits that develop during fetal development. Can also describe qualities or characteristics that seem innate to a person's nature.
From Latin 'congenitus' meaning 'born together,' from 'con-' (together) + 'genitus' (born, from 'gignere' to beget). First used in English in the 1790s, initially in medical contexts.
While 'congenital' literally means 'born with,' it's fascinating that we use it metaphorically for personality traits, as in 'congenital liar,' blending medical precision with folk psychology. The word bridges the gap between what's truly biological and what merely appears to be inborn.
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