intrinsic

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

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).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɪn.ˈtɹɪn.zɪk/

Adjective

intrinsic (comparative more intrinsic, superlative most intrinsic)

  1. Innate, inherent, inseparable from the thing itself, essential.
    Synonyms: essential, inherent, innate, proper to
    Antonym: extrinsic
    the intrinsic value of gold or silver
    the intrinsic merit of an action
    • I. Taylor
      He was better qualified than they to estimate justly the intrinsic value of Grecian philosophy and refinement.
  2. (anatomy, of a body part) Situated, produced, secreted in, or coming from inside an organ, tissue, muscle or member.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

intrinsic (plural intrinsics)

  1. (computing, programming) A built-in function that is implemented directly by the compiler, without any intermediate call to a library.
  2. (video games) An ability possessed by a character and not requiring any external equipment.
    You can acquire the fire-resistance intrinsic by eating dragon meat.

Further reading

Anagrams

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