external — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Outside of something; on the exterior.

   Examples

   This building has some external pipework.

   Her virtues graced with external gifts.

   More examples (1)

   Of all external things, […] / She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes.

2. Outside of something; on the exterior. Situated near or toward the surface of the body.

3. Outside of something; on the exterior. Relating to or denoting a medicine or similar substance for use on the outside of the body.

   Usage

   • relational

4. Capable of being perceived outwardly. Having merely the outward appearance of something.

   Synonyms

   superficial

5. Capable of being perceived outwardly. Not intrinsic or essential.

   Synonyms

   accidentalaccompanying

   Examples

   The external circumstances are greatly different.

6. Provided by something or someone outside of the entity (object, group, company etc.) considered.

   Examples

   external authority, external force

7. Relating to or connected with foreign nations or institutions.

   Synonyms

   foreign

   Examples

   external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom

8. Having existence independent of the mind.

   Examples

   external reality

9. For or concerning students registered with and taking the examinations of a university but not resident there.

   Examples

   external degrees

10. Not contained in the main computer.

    Usage

    • of a hardware

    Synonyms

    peripheral

11. Using a disk or tape drive rather than the main memory.

    Usage

    • of storage

Noun

1. The exterior; outward features or appearances. Inessential or superficial features.

   Usage

   • plural-normally

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   To a non-Christian who has never experienced but only observed the externals of Christianity, it appears to be merely another spiritual system, but to a person who has left one of the other religions and embraced the Christian faith, it is most definitely The Way, and all else pales to insignificance.

2. The exterior; outward features or appearances. Outward appearance.

   Usage

   • plural-normally

   Examples

   They had been such declared, such personal enemies, that, even in a court, it seemed wonderful how a decent external could be given to their reconciliation.

   More examples (1)

   He was indeed a creature who by externals at all events had more in common with another genus than with that humanity among which fate had cast him, and his familiar nickname of "The Toad" crudely indicated what that species might be.

3. A variable that is defined in the source code but whose value comes from some external source.

   Usage

   • in the C language

Adjective

1. happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface

   Antonyms

   internal

   Examples

   the external auditory canal

   external pressures

2. coming from the outside

   Synonyms

   extraneousoutside

   Examples

   extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph

   relying upon an extraneous income

   More examples (1)

   disdaining outside pressure groups

3. from or between other countries

   Synonyms

   internationaloutside

   Examples

   external commerce

   international trade

   More examples (1)

   developing nations need outside help

4. purely outward or superficial

   Examples

   external composure

Noun

1. outward features

   Broader terms

   featurecharacteristic

   Examples

   he enjoyed the solemn externals of religion