extrinsic

[ ik-strin-sik, -zik ]

adjective

1. not essential or inherent; not a basic part or quality; extraneous:

   facts that are extrinsic to the matter under discussion.

   Antonyms: intrinsic

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.

   Antonyms: intrinsic

extrinsic

/ ɛkˈstrɪnsɪk /

adjective

1. not contained or included within; extraneous
2. originating or acting from outside; external

Derived Forms

• exˈtrinsically, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·trinsi·cal·ly adverb
• nonex·trinsic adjective
• nonex·trinsi·cal adjective
• nonex·trinsi·cal·ly adverb
• unex·trinsic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrinsic¹

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” ( exterior ) + -im adverb suffix) + secus “beside” (derivative of sequī “to follow”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrinsic¹

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

Example Sentences

Such “extrinsic” quarks are created when gluons, particles that help “glue” the quarks together inside protons, split into quark-antiquark pairs.

From Science News

So, there’s an extrinsic measures of worth, such as titles and promotions, how much someone is paid, or who has the awesome corner office.

From MIT Technology Review

The way it connects to worth is that worth can be either intrinsic or extrinsic.

From MIT Technology Review

There are extrinsic measures of worth, which includes titles, promotions, how much someone is paid, or who has the awesome corner office.

From MIT Technology Review

Technology is no longer some huge extrinsic force that only reaches us in times of war, industrial upheaval, or nuclear paranoia.

From The Daily Beast

All seamlessly addressed—not as extrinsic concerns but as inevitable elements of the larger story.

From The Daily Beast

Here in a nutshell, we have an excellent illustration of two approaches of creative motivation—extrinsic and intrinsic.

From The Daily Beast

Extrinsic motivation is about external rewards—money, position, recognition.

From The Daily Beast

Those who rely more or less on claims extrinsic, are sure to be surpassed by those whose power is from within.

From Project Gutenberg

Nay the highest ensign that men ever met and embraced under, the Cross itself, had no meaning save an accidental extrinsic one.

From Project Gutenberg

By means of the extrinsic muscles the larynx is connected with the bones of the chest, neck, and head.

From Project Gutenberg

In New York, the courts adhere to the English rule, and admit no extrinsic evidence, except to explain a latent ambiguity.

From Project Gutenberg

Milton has an allusion to an eclipse of the Sun which possesses a two-fold interest—intrinsic and extrinsic.

From Project Gutenberg