| 释义 |
ex·ter·nal
I. \(ˈ)ek|stərnəl, ikˈs-, -tə̄n-, -təin-\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin externus (from exter, exterus outward, on the outside) + Middle English -al — more at exterior
1.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or consisting in outward form, appearance, or action
< the external aspect of religion >
(2) : capable of being perceived outwardly : bodily, physical, visible
< external signs of a disease >
b.
(1) : merely outward and lacking in or totally devoid of inner nature, spirit, or motivation : having the appearance of something with little or none of the reality : superficial
< her gaiety was of a conventional external kind — J.C.Powys >
(2) : not intrinsic or essential : accidental
< external circumstances >
< external factors affecting their decision >
2.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
< the external features of the building are very attractive >
(2) : situated at, on, or near the outside
< an external protective covering >
< an external muscle >
b.
(1) : acting on or exerted upon the outside
< sunbaths and other external treatments >
< the box collapsed after prolonged external pressure >
(2) : directed toward the outside
< external perception >
: having an outside object
< eyesight and the other external senses >
c. : used by applying to the outside
< an external lotion >
3.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or connected with something outside, apart, or beyond
< external evidence >
< the club's external activities >
(2) : situated outside, apart, or beyond
< people almost always want something external to themselves — Samuel Butler †1902 >
specifically : situated away from the mesial plane
< the external condyle of the humerus >
(3) : arising or acting from outside : having an outside origin
< external force >
< external causes >
< external stimuli >
b. : of or relating to dealings or relationships with foreign countries : foreign
< external policies >
< external commerce >
< the external exchange position of the dollar >
< external affairs >
c. : of, relating to, or consisting of something outside the mind : having existence independent of the mind : belonging to the spatio-temporal world
< sensations aroused by external phenomena >
< external reality >
< man's efforts to understand the workings of the external world — James Jeans >
Synonyms: see outer
II. noun
(-s)
1. : something that is external: as
a. archaic : an outer part : outside, exterior
b. : an external feature or aspect — usually used in plural
< the externals of religion >
2. : a house organ designed for circulation among outsiders (as dealers, customers, stockholders) |