Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

extrinsic

[ik-strin-sik, -zik]
See more synonyms for extrinsic on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. not essential or inherent; not a basic part or quality; extraneous: facts that are extrinsic to the matter under discussion.
  2. being outside a thing; outward or external; operating or coming from without: extrinsic influences.
  3. Anatomy. (of certain muscles, nerves, etc.) originating outside the anatomical limits of a part.
Show More
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. 2018

Examples from the Web for extrinsically

Historical Examples

  • And "mediumistic" facts, extrinsically at least, are certainly better known.

    Lola

    Henny Kindermann

  • Intrinsically and extrinsically it may be considered inaccessible to these generations.

  • Intrinsically the deposits are alike; but extrinsically they are far different, and their values are correspondingly unlike.

  • Wife being intrinsically, as well as extrinsically, the better man, what other can he do?

  • Thus as the perfect monad, he is intrinsically and extrinsically the whole, sustaining all things.

    Giordano Bruno

    James Lewis McIntyre

British Dictionary definitions for extrinsically

extrinsic

adjective
  1. not contained or included within; extraneous
  2. originating or acting from outside; external
Show More
Derived Formsextrinsically, adverb

Word Origin

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 extrinsically

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).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
extrinsically in Medicine

extrinsic

(ĭk-strĭn′sĭk, -zĭk)
adj.
  1. 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.
Show More
Related formsex•trin′si•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.