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

He called them “extrinsic statements—many of which were made before the President took the oath of office.”

From Salon

Prosecutors argue that Shafer is using “incorrect, extrinsic facts and legal conclusions … to somehow suggest that he was or may have been a lawful presidential elector at the time of the charged conduct.”

From Seattle Times

They may simply be motivated to make you stop pestering them — in other words, their motivation is extrinsic, which tends not to last.

From Seattle Times

An extrinsic orientation means doing things in the hope or expectation of other rewards, such as status, money and recognition.

From Salon

For many musicians, the motivation to perform is intrinsic rather than extrinsic.

From Salon