extrinsic Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside
- extrinsic evidence
- an extrinsic feature of the new building
- that style is something extrinsic to the subject
- looking for extrinsic aid

L. extrinsecus; exter on the outside + secus otherwise, beside; akin to E. second: cf. F. extrinsèque. See Exterior, Second.

Not contained in or belonging to a body; external; outward; unessential; -- opposed to intrinsic.
The extrinsic aids of education and of artificial culture. I. Taylor.
(Anat.) Attached partly to an organ or limb and partly to some other part -- said of certain groups of muscles. Opposed to intrinsic.