catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Intrinsic \In*trin"sic\ ([i^]n*tr[i^]n"s[i^]k), a. [L.
     intrinsecus inward, on the inside; intra within + secus
     otherwise, beside; akin to E. second: cf. F. intrins[`e]que.
     See Inter-, Second, and cf. Extrinsic.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Inward; internal; hence, true; genuine; real; essential;
        inherent; not merely apparent or accidental; -- opposed to
        extrinsic; as, the intrinsic value of gold or silver;
        the intrinsic merit of an action; the intrinsic worth or
        goodness of a person.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He was better qualified than they to estimate justly
              the intrinsic value of Grecian philosophy and
              refinement.                           --I. Taylor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Anat.) Included wholly within an organ or limb, as
        certain groups of muscles; -- opposed to extrinsic.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Intrinsic energy of a body (Physics), the work it can do in
        virtue of its actual condition, without any supply of
        energy from without.
  
     Intrinsic equation of a curve (Geom.), the equation which
        expresses the relation which the length of a curve,
        measured from a given point of it, to a movable point, has
        to the angle which the tangent to the curve at the movable
        point makes with a fixed line.
  
     Intrinsic value. See the Note under Value, n.
  
     Syn: Inherent; innate; natural; real; genuine.
          [1913 Webster]

  Intrinsic \In*trin"sic\ ([i^]n*tr[i^]n"s[i^]k), a. [L.
     intrinsecus inward, on the inside; intra within + secus
     otherwise, beside; akin to E. second: cf. F. intrins[`e]que.
     See Inter-, Second, and cf. Extrinsic.]
     1. Inward; internal; hence, true; genuine; real; essential;
        inherent; not merely apparent or accidental; -- opposed to
        extrinsic; as, the intrinsic value of gold or silver;
        the intrinsic merit of an action; the intrinsic worth or
        goodness of a person.
  
              He was better qualified than they to estimate justly
              the intrinsic value of Grecian philosophy and
              refinement.                           --I. Taylor.
  
     2. (Anat.) Included wholly within an organ or limb, as
        certain groups of muscles; -- opposed to extrinsic.
  
     Intrinsic energy of a body (Physics), the work it can do in
        virtue of its actual condition, without any supply of
        energy from without.
  
     Intrinsic equation of a curve (Geom.), the equation which
        expresses the relation which the length of a curve,
        measured from a given point of it, to a movable point, has
        to the angle which the tangent to the curve at the movable
        point makes with a fixed line.
  
     Intrinsic value. See the Note under Value, n.
  
     Syn: Inherent; innate; natural; real; genuine.