I. (ˈ)ek|stərn ə l, ikˈs-, -tə̄n-, -təin- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin externus (from exter, exterus outward, on the outside) + Middle English -al — more at exterior
1.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or consisting in outward form, appearance, or action
the external aspect of religion
(2) : capable of being perceived outwardly : bodily , physical , visible
external signs of a disease
b.
(1) : merely outward and lacking in or totally devoid of inner nature, spirit, or motivation : having the appearance of something with little or none of the reality : superficial
her gaiety was of a conventional external kind — J.C.Powys
(2) : not intrinsic or essential : accidental
external circumstances
external factors affecting their decision
2.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
the external features of the building are very attractive
(2) : situated at, on, or near the outside
an external protective covering
an external muscle
b.
(1) : acting on or exerted upon the outside
sunbaths and other external treatments
the box collapsed after prolonged external pressure
(2) : directed toward the outside
external perception
: having an outside object
eyesight and the other external senses
c. : used by applying to the outside
an external lotion
3.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or connected with something outside, apart, or beyond
external evidence
the club's external activities
(2) : situated outside, apart, or beyond
people almost always want something external to themselves — Samuel Butler †1902
specifically : situated away from the mesial plane
the external condyle of the humerus
(3) : arising or acting from outside : having an outside origin
external force
external causes
external stimuli
b. : of or relating to dealings or relationships with foreign countries : foreign
external policies
external commerce
the external exchange position of the dollar
external affairs
c. : of, relating to, or consisting of something outside the mind : having existence independent of the mind : belonging to the spatio-temporal world
sensations aroused by external phenomena
external reality
man's efforts to understand the workings of the external world — James Jeans
Synonyms: see outer
II. noun
( -s )
1. : something that is external: as
a. archaic : an outer part : outside , exterior
b. : an external feature or aspect — usually used in plural
the externals of religion
2. : a house organ designed for circulation among outsiders (as dealers, customers, stockholders)