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extern

American  
[ek-sturn, ik-sturn] / ˈɛk stɜrn, ɪkˈstɜrn /

noun

  1. a person connected with an institution but not residing in it, as a doctor or medical student at a hospital.

  2. a nun of a strictly enclosed order, as the Carmelites, who resides inside the convent but outside its enclosure and who chiefly goes on outside errands.


adjective

  1. Archaic. external; outer.

extern British  
/ ɪkˈstɜːn, ˈɛkstɜːn /

noun

  1. a person, such as a physician at a hospital, who has an official connection with an institution but does not reside in it

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of extern

1525–35; < Latin externus, derivative of exter, exterus. See exterior

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While in law school, Peters served as an extern on the Washington Supreme Court.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2024

So, we drew some sketches of a customized wheelchair and I sent them to a friend who is a Lego enthusiast,’ said Garrett Fraess, veterinary extern at the Zoo.

From Fox News • Sep. 26, 2018

“He was never an attorney here; he was an extern in our civil legal aid office.”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 27, 2018

The extern noted in the correspondence to the committee that Kozinski had instructed his staff to use personal emails for work and had not provided official court emails.

From Slate • Jan. 29, 2018

For example, the Leinstermen on one occasion fasted on St. Columkille till they obtained from him the promise that an extern King should never prevail against them.

From Jailed for Freedom by Stevens, Doris