intrinsic

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtɹɪn.zɪk/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective belonging to a thing by its very nature; - John Dewey
  2. adjective situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts

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”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

intrinsical

Semantic network

Similar
built-in, inner
Opposite (antonyms)
extrinsic

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading

Nice save! Solidify it with review →