extrinsic

[ik-strin-sik, -zik]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR extrinsic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not essential or inherent; not a basic part or quality; extraneous: facts that are extrinsic to the matter under discussion.

being outside a thing; outward or external; operating or coming from without: extrinsic influences.

Anatomy. (of certain muscles, nerves, etc.) originating outside the anatomical limits of a part.

Also Archaic, ex·trin·si·cal.

Origin of extrinsic

1535–45; < Late Latin extrinsecus outward, adj. use of Latin extrinsecus (adv.) on the outward side, equivalent to extrim- (ext(e)r outer (see exterior) + -im adv. suffix) + secus beside (derivative of sequī to follow)

Related formsex·trin·si·cal·ly, adverbnon·ex·trin·sic, adjectivenon·ex·trin·si·cal, adjectivenon·ex·trin·si·cal·ly, adverbun·ex·trin·sic, adjective

Can be confusedextraneous external extrinsic internal intrinsic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for extrinsic

acquired, alien, exotic, exterior, external, extraneous, imported, outer, outside, outward, superficial

Examples from the Web for extrinsic

Contemporary Examples of extrinsic

All seamlessly addressed—not as extrinsic concerns but as inevitable elements of the larger story.
‘Broadchurch’ Is Great TV for Fans of ‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘Doctor Who,’ and ‘Prime Suspect’
Andrew Romano
August 7, 2013
Extrinsic motivation is about external rewards—money, position, recognition.
Can Iron Man Save the Economy?
John Kao
June 15, 2010

Historical Examples of extrinsic

As in other minerals, value has both its intrinsic and extrinsic elements.
The Economic Aspect of Geology
C. K. Leith
I've neither fortune, nor fame, nor extrinsic advantages of any kind.
The Portrait of a Lady
Henry James
It brings in the extrinsic consideration of social consequences.
Distributive Justice
John A. (John Augustine) Ryan
There are some extrinsic facts which hitherto unknown should be noted.
The Mystery of the Pinckney Draught
Charles C. Nott
Nor has it any solid support from tradition or extrinsic authority.
The Catholic World; Vol. IV.; October, 1866, to March, 1867.
E. Rameur

British Dictionary definitions for extrinsic

extrinsic

adjective

not contained or included within; extraneous

originating or acting from outside; external

Derived Formsextrinsically, adverb

Word Origin for extrinsic

C16: from Late Latin extrinsecus (adj) outward, from Latin (adv) from without, on the outward side, from exter outward + secus alongside, related to sequī to follow

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

Word Origin and History for extrinsic

adj.

1540s, from French extrinsèque, from Late Latin extrinsecus (adj.), from Latin extrinsecus (adv.) "outwardly," from exter "outside" + in, suffix of locality, + secus "beside, alongside," originally "following" (related to sequi "to follow;" see sequel).

extrinsic in Medicine

extrinsic

[ĭk-strĭn′sĭk, -zĭk]

adj.

Of or relating to an organ or structure, especially a muscle, originating outside of the part where it is found or upon which it acts; adventitious.

Related formsex•trin′si•cal•ly adv.