Adjacent Words

External definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

EXTERN'AL, a. [L. externus.]
1. Outward; exterior; as the external surface of a body; opposed to internal.
2. Outward; not intrinsic; not being within; as external objects; external causes or effects.
3. Exterior; visible; apparent; as external deportment.
4. Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations; as external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom.
External taxes, are duties or imposts laid on goods imported into a country.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface; "the external auditory canal"; "external pressures" [ant: internal]
2: coming from the outside; "extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph"; "relying upon an extraneous income"; "disdaining outside pressure groups" [syn: external, extraneous, outside]
3: from or between other countries; "external commerce"; "international trade"; "developing nations need outside help" [syn: external, international, outside]
4: purely outward or superficial; "external composure"; "an external concern for reputation"- A.R.Gurney,Jr. n
1: outward features; "he enjoyed the solemn externals of religion"

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective Etymology: Latin externus external, from exter — more at exterior Date: 1542 1. a. capable of being perceived outwardly <external signs of a disease> b. (1) having merely the outward appearance of something ; superficial (2) not intrinsic or essential <external circumstances> 2. a. of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part <the building's external features> b. applied or applicable to the outside <a lotion for external use> 3. a. (1) situated outside, apart, or beyond; specifically situated near or toward the surface of the body (2) arising or acting from outside <an external force> b. of or relating to dealings or relationships with foreign countries c. having existence independent of the mind <external reality> • externally adverb II. noun Date: circa 1635 something that is external: as a. an outer part b. an external feature or aspect — usually used in plural

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. & n. --adj. 1 a of or situated on the outside or visible part (opp. INTERNAL). b coming or derived from the outside or an outside source. 2 relating to a country's foreign affairs. 3 outside the conscious subject (the external world). 4 (of medicine etc.) for use on the outside of the body. 5 for or concerning students taking the examinations of a university without attending it. --n. (in pl.) 1 the outward features or aspect. 2 external circumstances. 3 inessentials. Phrases and idioms: external evidence evidence derived from a source independent of the thing discussed. Derivatives: externality n. (pl. -ies). externally adv. Etymology: med.L f. L externus f. exterus outside

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

External Ex*ter"nal, n. Something external or without; outward part; that which makes a show, rather than that which is intrinsic; visible form; -- usually in the plural. Adam was then no less glorious in his externals --South. God in externals could not place content. --Pope.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

External Ex*ter"nal, a. [L. externus, fr. exter, exterus, on the outside, outward. See Exterior.] 1. Outward; exterior; relating to the outside, as of a body; being without; acting from without; -- opposed to internal; as, the external form or surface of a body. Of all external things, . . . She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes. --Milton. 2. Outside of or separate from ourselves; (Metaph.) separate from the perceiving mind. 3. Outwardly perceptible; visible; physical or corporeal, as distinguished from mental or moral. Her virtues graced with external gifts. --Shak. 4. Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial. The external circumstances are greatly different. --Trench. 5. Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations; as, external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom. 6. (Anat.) Away from the mesial plane of the body; lateral. External angles. (Geom.) See under Angle.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. External is used to indicate that something is on the outside of a surface or body, or that it exists, happens, or comes from outside. ...a much reduced heat loss through external walls. ...internal and external allergic reactions. ? internal ADJ: usu ADJ n • externally Vitamins can be applied externally to the skin. ...externally imposed conditions. ADV: usu ADV with v 2. External means involving or intended for foreign countries. ...the commissioner for external affairs. ...Jamaica's external debt. ...the republic's external borders. ADJ: ADJ n • externally ...protecting the value of the mark both internally and externally. ADV: usu ADV after v 3. External means happening or existing in the world in general and affecting you in some way. ...a reaction to external events... Such events occur only when the external conditions are favorable. ADJ: ADJ n 4. External experts, for example external examiners, come into an organization from outside in order to do a particular job fairly and impartially, or to check that a particular job was done properly. (mainly BRIT) = outside ADJ: ADJ n • externally There must be externally moderated tests. ADV: ADV -ed 5. If medicine is for external use, it is intended to be used only on the outside of your body, and not to be eaten or drunk. PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. 1. Outward, outer, exterior, outside, superficial. 2. Extrinsic, foreign, from without. 3. Visible, apparent.

Moby Thesaurus

alien, apparent, border, circumference, cortex, cortical, covering, crust, envelope, epidermic, epidermis, exomorphic, exotic, exterior, extraneous, extraorganismal, extrinsic, facade, face, facet, foreign, fringe, front, impersonal, integument, lineaments, nonsubjective, objective, open, out, outer, outer face, outer layer, outer side, outer skin, outermost, outline, outlying, outmost, outside, outstanding, outward, outward-facing, over, perceptible, peripheral, periphery, public, rind, roundabout, seeming, shell, skin, superficial, superficies, superstratum, surface, top, visible