Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

external

 - 5 dictionary results

ex⋅ter⋅nal

  [ik-stur-nl]
Use external in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to the outside or outer part; outer: an external surface.
2. Medicine/Medical. to be applied to the outside of a body, as a remedy: for external use only.
3. situated or being outside something; acting or coming from without: external influences.
4. pertaining to the outward or visible appearance or show: external acts of worship.
5. pertaining to or concerned with foreign countries: external affairs; external commerce.
6. Zoology, Anatomy. on the side farthest from the body, the median line, or the center of a radially symmetrical form.
7. Metaphysics. of or pertaining to the world of things, considered as independent of the perceiving mind: external world.
–noun
8. the outside; outer surface; exterior.
9. something that is external.
10. externals, external features, circumstances, etc.; outward appearance; superficialities.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME; see extern, -al 1

Related forms:
ex⋅ter⋅nal⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. outermost, exterior.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To external
ex·ter·nal   (ĭk-stûr'nəl)   
adj.  

  1. Relating to, existing on, or connected with the outside or an outer part; exterior.

  2. Suitable for application to the outside: external paints.

  3. Existing independently of the mind.

  4. Acting or coming from the outside: external pressures.

  5. Of or relating chiefly to outward appearance; superficial: "An internal sense of righteousness dwindles into an external concern for reputation" (A.R. Gurney, Jr.)

  6. Of or relating to foreign affairs or foreign countries: the country's minister of external affairs.

n.  

  1. An exterior part or surface.

  2. externals

    1. Outer circumstances.

    2. Outward appearances: was charming as far as the externals went.


[Middle English, from Latin externus, outward, from exter; see eghs in Indo-European roots.]
ex·ter'nal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

external 
1537 (as extern), from L. externus "outside, outward," from exterus (see exterior). This version won out over exterial.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·ter·nal
Pronunciation: ek-'st&rn-&l
Function: adjective
1 : capable of being perceived outwardly : BODILY <external signs of a disease>
2 a : situated at, on, or near the outsideexternal protective covering> external muscle> b : directed toward the outside : having an outside object <external perception>external senses> c : used by applying to the outside external lotion>
3 a (1) : situated near or toward thesurface of the body; also : situated away from the mesial plane external condyle of the humerus> (2) : arising or acting from outside : having anoutside origin <external causes> <external stimuli> b : of, relating to, or consisting of something outside the mind : having existence independentof the mind external phenomena> <external reality> —ex·ter·nal·ly /-&l-E/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

external ex·ter·nal (ĭk-stûr'nəl)
adj.
Abbr. ext.
Relating to, connected with, or existing on the outside; exterior.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see external on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way