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.
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)
OTHER WORDS FROM extrinsic
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH extrinsic
extraneous external extrinsic internal intrinsicWords nearby extrinsic
Example sentences from the Web for extrinsic
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
Medical definitions for extrinsic
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.