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external definition

ex·ter·nal (ek stʉr′nəl, ik-)

adjective

  1. on or having to do with the outside; outer; exterior
  2. on, or for use on, the outside of the body a machine for external use only
    1. outwardly visible
    2. existing apart from the mind; material external reality
  4. originating outside; acting or coming from without an external force
    1. for outward appearance or show; superficial external politeness
    2. not basic or essential external factors
  6. having to do with foreign countries and international affairs

Etymology: ME < L externus, outward, external < exter, exterus, on the outside, compar. form < ex, out of (see ex-) + -al

noun

  1. an outside or outward surface or part
  2. outward appearance or behavior; superficialities

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical external definition - medical

external Synonyms

external

modif.

outer, surface, visible, open to the air; see obvious 1, outer, outside.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

external Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • examiner: Jane is also an external examiner at Robert Gordon University.

Modifying Another Word

  • there: Are there external side mounted and rear view mirrors on the vehicles to provide optimum all round visibility?

Used with adjective complement

  • manage: Managing external machining / PCB / electronics assembly contractors.
external usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

external quotes

All violent feelings†produce in us a falseness in all our impressions of external things, which I would generally characterize as the'Pathetic Fallacy'.

-Ruskin,John

NempeAmor nihil aliud est, quam Laeititia concomitante idea causae externae; et Odium nihil aliud est, quamTristitia concomitante idea causae externae. Love is nothing else than pleasure accompanied by the idea of anexternal cause; and hatepainaccompanied by the idea of an external cause.

-Spinoza, Baruch also known as Benedict de Spinoza

external quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Cite this page:

MLA Style

"external." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/external>

APA Style

external. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/external

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