death instinct

n. Psychiatry
A primitive impulse for destruction, decay, and death, postulated by Sigmund Freud as coexisting with and opposing the life instinct. Also called Thanatos.

n.

A primitive impulse for destruction, decay, and death, manifested by a turning away from pleasure, postulated by Sigmund Freud as coexisting with and opposing the life instinct. Also called Thanatos.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: (psychoanalysis) an unconscious urge to die
  Synonym: death wish

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