external English · revision 4708

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=a. 1425|origins=la externus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪkˈstɜː.nəl/, US /ɪkˈstɝː.nəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[la|externus|t=outside, outward]] and the suffix [[-al]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) partly also from Middle French externe.^(Barnhart 1988) Latin externus is from exter, exterus “outward”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the source of [[exterior]].^(Barnhart 1988) It won out over a parallel Middle English word exterial, which became obsolete after 1550.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) It is related to [[extreme]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Overt: probably before 1425 in Barnhart, in a translation of Higden's Polychronicon,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Pertaining to the outward or bodily form, as opposed to inner nature, is from 1556.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Situated outside, the basic modern sense, is from 1591, the 1590s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Foreign, belonging to other countries, is from 1577–1587,^(OED 1989) still used in ''external affairs''.^(AHD) Coming from outside is from 1651,^(OED 1989) and in philosophy, existing outside the mind, from 1667.^(OED 1989) Of medicines, applied to the outside of the body, it is from 1706.^(OED 1989) The plural noun ''externals'', outward appearances, is from 1635.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1425 – overt.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1556 – outward, bodily.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1577–87 – foreign.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1591 – situated outside.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1635 – noun, ''externals''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1651 – acting from outside.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1706 – of remedies, applied outside.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, on or for the outside: ''external walls''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Coming from outside a person, organization or system: ''external pressure''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to foreign countries: ''external affairs''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Existing outside the [[mind]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of an examiner or student, from or studying outside a [[university]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(externals)'' Outward features or appearances.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[externally]]

+ * [[externalization]]

+ * [[semiexternal]]

+ * [[externalize]]

+ * [[externalism]]

+ * [[externality]]

+ * [[nonexternal]]

+ * [[external auditory canal]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[exterior]]

+ * [[internal]]

+ * [[extreme]]

+ * [[extra]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}