intrinsic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Belonging naturally to something as part of its basic nature.

   Honesty was an intrinsic part of his character.

2. 2
   adj

   Built in; existing as part of something rather than added from outside.

   The software has intrinsic security features that need no extra setup.

From Middle French intrinsèque, from Latin intrīnsecus (“on the inside, inwardly”), from *intrim, an assumed adverbial form of inter (“within”) + secus (“by, on the side”).

Topics