Link Centre Dictionary

intrinsic

int·rin·sic

UK/ɪnˈtɹɪn.zɪk/ US/ˌɪˈntrɪnsɪk/ rare

adjective

1.

belonging to a thing by its very nature

  • “form was treated as something intrinsic, as the very essence of the thing” John Dewey
Synonyms
Antonyms
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2.

situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts

  • “intrinsic muscles”
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Origin

From Middle French intrinsèque, from Latin intrīnsecus (“on the inside, inwardly”), from *intrim, an assumed adverbial form of inter (“within”) + secus (“by, on the side”).

Phrases

  • for all intrinsic purposes
  • intrinsic brightness
  • intrinsic motivation
  • intrinsic protein
  • intrinsic reward
  • intrinsic semiconductor
  • intrinsic tracer
  • intrinsic value

Related words

Word family

See also

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.