intrinsic

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

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