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Webster 1913 Edition

External

Ex-ter′nal

,
Adj.
[L.
externus
, fr.
exter
,
exterus
, on the outside, outward. See
Exterior
.]
1.
Outward; exterior; relating to the outside, as of a body; being without; acting from without; – opposed to
internal
;
as, the
external
form or surface of a body
.
Of all
external
things, . . .
She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes.
Milton.
2.
Outside of or separate from ourselves;
(Metaph.)
separate from the perceiving mind.
3.
Outwardly perceptible; visible; physical or corporeal, as distinguished from mental or moral.
Her virtues graced with
external
gifts.
Shakespeare
4.
Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial.
The
external
circumstances are greatly different.
Trench.
5.
Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations;
as,
external
trade or commerce; the
external
relations of a state or kingdom.
6.
(Anat.)
Away from the mesial plane of the body; lateral.
External angles
.
(Geom.)
See under
Angle
.

Ex-ter′nal

,
Noun.
Something external or without; outward part; that which makes a show, rather than that which is intrinsic; visible form; – usually in the plural.
Adam was then no less glorious in his
externals
South.
God in
externals
could not place content.
Pope.

Webster 1828 Edition

External

EXTERN'AL

,
Adj.
[L. externus.]
1.
Outward; exterior; as the external surface of a body; opposed to internal.
2.
Outward; not intrinsic; not being within; as external objects; external causes or effects.
3.
Exterior; visible; apparent; as external deportment.
4.
Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations; as external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom.
External taxes, are duties or imposts laid on goods imported into a country.

Definition 2024

external

external

English

Adjective

external ‎(comparative more external, superlative most external)

  1. Outside of something; on the exterior.
    This building has some external pipework.
    • Milton
      Of all external things, […] / She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes.
    • Shakespeare
      Her virtues graced with external gifts.
  2. Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial.
    • Trench
      The external circumstances are greatly different.
  3. Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations.
    external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom
  4. (anatomy) Away from the mesial plane of the body; lateral.
  5. Provided by something or somenone outside of the entity (object, group, company etc.) considered.

Antonyms

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Translations

External links

  • external in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • external in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • external at OneLook Dictionary Search

Etymology

From Middle French externe + -al, from Latin externus, from exter, exterus ‎(“on the outside, outward”).

Pronunciation

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