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intrinsic

 - 6 dictionary results

in⋅trin⋅sic

  [in-trin-sik, -zik]
Use intrinsic in a Sentence
–adjective
1. belonging to a thing by its very nature: the intrinsic value of a gold ring.
2. Anatomy. (of certain muscles, nerves, etc.) belonging to or lying within a given part.
Also, in⋅trin⋅si⋅cal.

Origin:
1480–90; < ML intrinsecus inward (adj.), L (adv.), equiv. to intrin- (int(e)r-, as in interior + -im adv. suffix) + secus beside, deriv. of sequī to follow

Related forms:
in⋅trin⋅si⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. native, innate, natural, true, real. See essential.

Antonyms:
1. extrinsic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To intrinsic
in·trin·sic   (ĭn-trĭn'zĭk, -sĭk)   
adj.  

  1. Of or relating to the essential nature of a thing; inherent.

  2. Anatomy Situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts. Used of certain nerves and muscles.


[Middle English intrinsique, inner, from Old French intrinseque, from Late Latin intrīnsecus, inward, from Latin, inwardly; see en in Indo-European roots.]
in·trin'si·cal·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.
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Word Origin & History

intrinsic 
1490, "interior, inward, internal," from M.Fr. intrinsèque (13c.) "inner," from M.L. intrinsecus "interior, internal," from L. intrinsecus (adv.) "inwardly, on the inside," from intra "within" + secus "alongside," originally "following" (related to sequi "to follow"). Meaning "belonging to the nature of a thing" is from 1642.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·trin·sic
Pronunciation: in-'trin-zik, -sik
Function: adjective
: belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·trin·sic
Pronunciation: in-'trin-zik, -'trin(t)-sik
Function: adjective
1 : originating or due to causes or factorswithin a body, organ, or part <intrinsic asthma>
2 : originating and included wholly within an organ or part —used especially of certain muscles intrinsic muscle of the larynx> —compare EXTRINSIC 2
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

intrinsic in·trin·sic (ĭn-trĭn'zĭk, -sĭk)
adj.

  1. Of or relating to the essential nature of a thing.

  2. Situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts. Used of certain nerves and muscles.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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