extrinsic
[ ik-strin-sik, -zik ]
/ ɪkˈstrɪn sɪk, -zɪk /
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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.
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Also Archaic, ex·trin·si·cal .
Origin of extrinsic
First recorded in 1535–45; from Late Latin extrinsecus “outward,” adjective use of Latin extrinsecus (adverb) “on the outward side,” equivalent to extrim- (ext(e)r “outer” (see exterior) + -im adverb suffix) + secus “beside” (derivative of sequī “to follow”)
OTHER WORDS FROM extrinsic
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH extrinsic
extraneous, external, extrinsicDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use extrinsic in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for extrinsic
extrinsic
/ (ɛkˈstrɪnsɪk) /
adjective
not contained or included within; extraneous
originating or acting from outside; external
Derived forms of extrinsic
extrinsically, adverbWord 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
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