extrinsic

[ ik-strin-sik, -zik ]

/ ɪkˈstrɪn sɪk, -zɪk /

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.

Nearby words

extremity, extremophile, extremum, extricable, extricate, extrinsic, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, extrinsic eye muscle, extrinsic factor, extrinsic incubation period, extrinsic sphincter

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 forms

ex·trin·si·cal·ly, adverbnon·ex·trin·sic, adjectivenon·ex·trin·si·cal, adjectivenon·ex·trin·si·cal·ly, adverb

un·ex·trin·sic, adjective

Can be confused

extraneous external extrinsic internal intrinsic

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

Examples from the Web for extrinsically

And "mediumistic" facts, extrinsically at least, are certainly better known.
Lola|Henny Kindermann
There would be many things there intrinsically as well as extrinsically valuable.
The Healthy Life, Vol. V, Nos. 24-28|Various
Intrinsically and extrinsically it may be considered inaccessible to these generations.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 378, April, 1847|Various
Wife being intrinsically, as well as extrinsically, the better man, what other can he do?
Women of History|Anonymous

Intrinsically the deposits are alike; but extrinsically they are far different, and their values are correspondingly unlike.
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. Leith

British Dictionary definitions for extrinsically

extrinsic

/ (ɛkˈstrɪnsɪk) /

adjective

not contained or included within; extraneous

originating or acting from outside; external

Derived Forms

extrinsically, 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

Medicine definitions for extrinsically

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 forms

ex•trin′si•cal•ly adv.