I. (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: out (III) + side
1. : a place or region that is situated beyond an enclosure, boundary, or other limit: as
a. : the world outside an institution
fit an inmate in attitudes and habits for life on the outside — Garrett Heyns
b. Australia : outback
c. Alaska : the world outside the territory or state of Alaska
2.
a. : an outer side or surface
the outside of the house needs painting
the outside of the door was badly scarred
walked on the outside of the path
b. : the left side of a sword in fencing
c. : the convex aspect of a curve
d. : the side of home plate farther from the batter in baseball
pitched to the batter on the outside
3. : an outer manifestation : appearance
he was the fine outside of a man, the portrait of a gentleman and a soldier — A.W.Long
the imaginative insides of human reverie can be more thrilling than the heroic outsides of action — T.V.Smith
4. : the extreme limit of a guess or approximation : the utmost extent
the crowd numbered ten thousand at the outside
estimated that his rate of profit would be ten percent at the outside
gave him two years to live at the outside
5. : one that is without: as
a. : an outside passenger or seat (as in a stagecoach)
b. : a rugby player who is not a forward
6. outsides plural : the top and bottom quires of a ream of writing or drawing paper ; broadly : reams made up of such imperfect quires or sheets — compare inside
II. adjective
1.
a. : of, relating to, or being on the outer side or surface
the outside edge
outside qualities
an outside lock
b. : of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side of a curve or turn
stemming with the outside ski
the outside wheels
2.
a. : situated, belonging, or performed outside a particular place, area, or enclosure
distracted by outside noises
take many outside trips during the school year
heard little news from the outside world
b. Australia : situated in the outback
c. : connected with or giving access to the outside
asked the switchboard operator for an outside line
d. England : done outside a radio or television studio
throughout the summer months the television service specializes in sport and other outside broadcasts — T.O.Beachcroft
3. : maximum
five millions more than their outside estimate — F.L.Allen
4.
a. : not included or originating in a particular group or organization : extraneous
outside influences
outside pressure
the outside public
b. : not belonging to one's regular occupation, duties, or course of study
outside interests
outside activities
c. : done outside of class or class hours
the course demands ten hours a week of outside preparation
5. : barely possible : remote
has an outside chance of scoring an upset and winning the election
Synonyms: see outer
III. adverb
1.
a. : on or to the outside
waited outside in the corridor
carried the lawn furniture outside
b. : in the open air : outdoors
2. : externally
the car seemed in perfect shape outside
IV. preposition
Etymology: outside (III)
1. : on the outer side of
the American flag outside my building — William Barrett
she seemed always outside her subject — H.J.Laski
2. : beyond the limits of
do little of their entertaining outside their homes — American Guide Series: Minnesota
reach outside the narrow intellectual boundaries imposed by a restricted income in a little village — Flora Rose
outside the law
3. : to the outside of
ran outside the house
4. : except 1
outside these, and a few professional men, there was almost no fancy dress — Arnold Bennett
V. adjective
: made or done from the outside or from a distance