INTRINSIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does intrinsic mean? 

• INTRINSIC (adjective)
  The adjective INTRINSIC has 2 senses:

1. belonging to a thing by its very nature

2. situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts

  Familiarity information: INTRINSIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INTRINSIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Belonging to a thing by its very nature

Synonyms:

intrinsic; intrinsical

Context example:

form was treated as something intrinsic, as the very essence of the thing

Similar:

built-in; constitutional; inbuilt; inherent; integral (existing as an essential constituent or characteristic)

inner; internal; intimate (innermost or essential)

Also:

inalienable; unalienable (incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another)

essential (basic and fundamental)

Antonym:

extrinsic (not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts

Context example:

intrinsic muscles

Similar:

internal (happening or arising or located within some limits or especially surface)

Domain category:

anatomy; general anatomy (the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals)

 Context examples 

A selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist with antihypertensive activity and devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

(Bisoprolol, NCI Thesaurus)

This agent has no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

(Carvedilol Phosphate Extended-Release Capsule, NCI Thesaurus)

This tissue contains intrinsic macromolecular components such as collagen, laminin, and sulfated proteoglycans.

(Basement Membrane, NCI Thesaurus)

It has an intrinsic tendency for malignant progression to glioblastoma.

(Anaplastic Astrocytoma, NCI Thesaurus/WHO)

An agent that has affinity for a receptor and intrinsic activity at that receptor.

(Agonist, NCI Thesaurus)

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma usually occurs in children.

(Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, NCI Dictionary)

An assessment of skeletal muscle function and nerve control, obtained by recording and studying the intrinsic electrical properties of the muscles.

(Electromyography, NCI Thesaurus)

A mental disorder caused by intrinsic disease which is characterized by persistent alteration of a known behavioral pattern.

(Organic Personality Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

The protein has intrinsic GTPase activity and is involved in transmembrane signal transduction as a guanine nucleotide binding protein.

(p21 RAS Protein, NCI Thesaurus)

A mental disorder caused by intrinsic disease which is characterized by persistent or recurrent irrational beliefs.

(Organic Delusional Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)