iNtution *is* perceiving something.
Patterns and insinuations from the outside.
But patterns and insinuations on the inside too.
Aha, I think we're getting somewhere. I see patterns to be inside the mind, and outside it is a big chaos that is defined by the mind. So, it is important to think that world as it is has patterns that are definite and not debatable? I mean, we call square a square, but all squares are slightly different and are categorized only for convenience.
When people use the word intuition in an MBTI context, they're talking about recognition of higher level patterns than merely "this shape is different than that." If you want to call it a low level intuitive process, I don't think anyone's going to object.
Well, it must start somewhere small. Except that feeling and sensing seem to start with full volume on babies.