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intrinsically - 3 dictionary results

in⋅trin⋅sic

  [in-trin-sik, -zik]
Use intrinsically 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.
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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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Intrinsically

In*trin"sic*al*ly\, adv. Internally; in its nature; essentially; really; truly.

A lie is a thing absolutely and intrinsically evil. --South.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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