The word intuition comes from the Latin verb intueri (meaning "to look at, gaze at, or consider"), combined from in- ("at, on") and tueri ("to look at, watch over, or guard").  intuition and appeared in written English as intuicioun.  

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the noun intuition was first used in English in 1497 by John Alcock, the administrator and bishop of Ely.  In early usage, it meant a spiritual insight or direct "spiritual perception" of God or truth by the mind.    By the 17th century, philosophers began using it to describe immediate cognitive knowledge or understanding that happens without using conscious reasoning.  

A character's intuition drives plot momentum, builds deep psychological realism, and creates immediate suspense by letting them react to danger or hidden truths before logical proof appears.  

Driving Plot and Action:  
Instant catalyst: Hunches force a character to make a bold move or investigate a mystery without waiting for full evidence.  
Escalating conflict: Following a gut feeling often leads a character right into a trap or a confrontation, speeding up the story.  
Breaking stalemates: When logic leaves a character stuck, intuition offers a sudden path forward to keep the narrative moving.  

Building Character Depth:  
Showing inner intelligence: Subconscious cues—like a sudden chill or a sense that someone is lying—prove a character is alert and alive.  
Flaws and mistakes: Intuition is not magic; when a character's gut feeling is wrong, it highlights their blind spots, fears, or past trauma.  
Growth milestone: Learning to trust their inner voice helps a character shift from passive victim to active hero.  

Engaging the Reader:  
Creating suspense: Readers feel tension when a character senses danger before seeing it.  
Earning trust: Sharing a quiet, unexplained instinct makes a fictional person feel more like a real, instinctive human.  

29 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

From my experience, intuition shouldn't be ignored.

Most of us have a name for that....

The Science of Intuition: How to Measure 'Gut Feelings' - YouTube

Just the facts:

INTUITION Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

INTUITION Synonyms: 17 Similar Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

INTUITIVE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster