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intrinsic

American  
[in-trin-sik, -zik] / ɪnˈtrɪn sɪk, -zɪk /

adjective

  1. belonging to a thing by its very nature.

    the intrinsic value of a gold ring.

    Synonyms:
    true, natural, innate, native
    Antonyms:
    extrinsic, extrinsic
  2. Anatomy. (of certain muscles, nerves, etc.) belonging to or lying within a given part.


intrinsic British  
/ ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the essential nature of a thing; inherent

  2. anatomy situated within or peculiar to a part

    intrinsic muscles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See essential.

Other Word Forms

  • intrinsically adverb

Etymology

Origin of intrinsic

First recorded in 1480–90; Middle English intrinsique “inner,” from Old French intrinseque “internal, inner,” from Late Latin intrinsecus “inward” (adjective), from Latin intrinsecus “on the inside, inwards” (adverb), equivalent to intrin- (from int(e)r-, as in interior + -im, an old accusative ending used as an adverb suffix + secus “beside,” derivative of sequī “to follow”)

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Abel wrote that Berkshire will buy back its shares if prices trade below an estimate of intrinsic value.

From The Wall Street Journal

For most adults, reading is a private endeavor, intrinsic to selfhood.

From The Wall Street Journal

He averaged those estimates to come up with his intrinsic value estimate.

From Barron's

"What we conclude is that these color qualities don't emerge from additional external constructs such as cultural or learned experiences but reflect the intrinsic properties of the color metric itself," Bujack said.

From Science Daily

Existing models, even those developed in China, "have intrinsic bias towards Western values, culture and ethos -- as a product of being trained heavily on that consensus", Sai told AFP.

From Barron's