adj. & n.
--adj.
1. of or situated in the inside or invisible part.
2 relating or applied to the inside of the body (internal injuries).
3 of a nation's domestic affairs.
4 (of a student) attending a university etc. as well as taking its examinations.
5 used or applying within an organization.
6 a of the inner nature of a thing; intrinsic. b of the mind or soul.
--n. (in pl.) intrinsic qualities.
Phrases and idioms:
internal-combustion engine an engine with its motive power generated by the explosion of gases or vapour with air in a cylinder. internal energy the energy in a system arising from the relative positions and interactions of its parts. internal evidence evidence derived from the contents of the thing discussed. internal exile see EXILE n. 1. internal rhyme a rhyme involving a word in the middle of a line and another at the end of the line or in the middle of the next.
Derivatives:
internality n. internalize v.tr. (also -ise). internalization n. internally adv.
Etymology: mod.L internalis (as INTERN)