intrinsic

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intrinsic intrinsic factor

Main Entry: in·trin·sic
Pronunciation: in-'trin-zik, -'trin(t)-sik
Function: adjective
Etymology: French intrinsèque internal, from Late Latin intrinsecus, from Latin, adverb, inwardly; akin to Latin intra within -- more at INTRA-
1 a : belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing <the intrinsic worth of a gem> <the intrinsic brightness of a star> b : being or relating to a semiconductor in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains
2 a : originating or due to causes within a body, organ, or part <an intrinsic metabolic disease> b : originating and included wholly within an organ or part <intrinsic muscles> -- compare EXTRINSIC 1b
- in·trin·si·cal·ly /-zi-k(&-)lE, -si-/ adverb