Wiktionary

external

EnglishEdit

EtymologyEdit

From Late Middle English, from Medieval Latin externus (“outward, external”), from exter/exterus (“on the outside, outward”).

PronunciationEdit

AdjectiveEdit

external (comparative more external, superlative most external)

  1. Outside of something; on the exterior.
    This building has some external pipework.
    1. (anatomy) Situated near or toward the surface of the body.
    2. (pharmacology, relational) Relating to or denoting a medicine or similar substance for use on the outside of the body.
  2. Capable of being perceived outwardly.
    1. Having merely the outward appearance of something.
      Synonym: superficial
    2. Not intrinsic or essential.
      Synonyms: accidental, accompanying; see also Thesaurus:extrinsic
  3. Provided by something or someone outside of the entity (object, group, company etc.) considered.
    external authority, external force
  4. Relating to or connected with foreign nations or institutions.
    external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom
    Synonym: foreign
  5. Having existence independent of the mind.
    external reality
  6. (education) For or concerning students registered with and taking the examinations of a university but not resident there.
    external degrees
  7. (computing, of a hardware) Not contained in the main computer.
    Synonym: peripheral
  8. (computing, of storage) Using a disk or tape drive rather than the main memory.

AntonymsEdit

Derived termsEdit

TranslationsEdit

NounEdit

external (plural externals)

  1. (usually in the plural) The exterior; outward features or appearances.
    1. Inessential or superficial features.
    2. Outward appearance.
    • 1834, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Francesca Carrara, volume 1, page 298:
      They had been such declared, such personal enemies, that, even in a court, it seemed wonderful how a decent external could be given to their reconciliation.
  2. (programming, in the C language) A variable that is defined in the source code but whose value comes from some external source.

ReferencesEdit

Further readingEdit

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