First Known Use: 1635
Dictionary
intrinsic
adjective in·trin·sic \in-ˈtrin-zik, -ˈtrin(t)-sik\
: belonging to the essential nature of a thing : occurring as a natural part of something
Full Definition of INTRINSIC
1
a : belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing <the intrinsic worth of a gem> <the intrinsic brightness of a star> b : being or relating to a semiconductor in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains
2
a : originating or due to causes within a body, organ, or part <an intrinsic metabolic disease> b : originating and included wholly within an organ or part <intrinsic muscles> — compare extrinsic 1b
— in·trin·si·cal·ly \-zi-k(ə-)lē, -si-\ adverb
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Examples of INTRINSIC
- He is the ideal courtier. His nobility is intrinsic, and so he can drape himself in this purple cloak of tasteful modernity, make a cocktail of past and present, the cream of both. —Noah Charney, The Art Thief, 2007
- Subatomic particles have an intrinsic orientation known as spin, which can point in one of two directions, conventionally called “up” and “down.” —Abraham Loeb, Scientific American, November 2006
- Yet despite the digital culture's endless celebrations of diversity … there is a certain mindless repetition intrinsic to the Internet, where ideas and software multiply a thousandfold with one click; where the lure of wider communication drives users toward an ultimate “interoperability” and, hence, toward an ultimate uniformity. —Julian Dibbell, Harper's, August 2001
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Origin of INTRINSIC
French intrinsèque internal, from Late Latin intrinsecus, from Latin, adverb, inwardly; akin to Latin intra within — more at intra-
Related to INTRINSIC
- Synonyms
- built-in, constitutional, constitutive, essential, hardwired, immanent, inborn, inbred, indigenous, ingrain, ingrained (also engrained), innate, integral, inherent, native, natural
- Antonyms
- adventitious, extraneous, extrinsic
Medical Dictionary
intrinsic
adjective in·trin·sic \in-ˈtrin-zik, -ˈtrin(t)-sik\
Medical Definition of INTRINSIC
1
: originating or due to causes or factors within a body, organ, or part <intrinsic asthma>
2
: originating and included wholly within an organ or part—used especially of certain muscles <the cricothyroid is an intrinsic muscle of the larynx>; compare extrinsic 2
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