English

Alternative forms

• intrinsick (obsolete)

Adjective

intrinsic ‎(comparative more intrinsic, superlative most intrinsic)

1. Innate, inherent, inseparable from the thing itself, essential.

   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. (of a body part, relating to anatomy) Situated, produced, secreted in, or coming from inside an organ, tissue, muscle or member.

Synonyms

• (inseparable from the thing itself): essential, inherent, innate, proper to

Antonyms

• extrinsic

Derived terms

Related terms

• intrinsicality
• intrinsically

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.

External links

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