(ˈ)ek|säjənəs adjective
Etymology: French exogène exogenous + English -ous
: produced from without : originating from or due to external causes: as
a. : growing from or on the outside
exogenous spores
: growing by addition to the exterior
exogenous stems
b.
(1) : caused by a factor (as food) or an agent from outside the organism and not due primarily to structural or functional failure
exogenous obesity
exogenous heart disease associated with rheumatic fever
— compare endogenous
(2) : introduced from or produced outside the organism
exogenous supply of a vitamin
c. : arising from other than hereditary factors
exogenous mental deficiency
d. : of, relating to, or produced by the metabolism or nitrogenous substances obtained from food : dietary
exogenous uric acid
— compare endogenous
e. of rocks : composed of materials derived from processes of erosion or produced by metamorphism through contact with adjacent igneous intrusion
f. : originating from outside an economic system (as from political, accidental, and technological forces) — compare endogenous
• ex·og·e·nous·ly adverb