external

comparative more external · superlative most external · alternative obsolete externall

1. Outside of something; on the exterior.

   This building has some external pipework.

   2 more examples

   Her virtues graced with external gifts.

   1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v]

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

   1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   1. anatomySituated near or toward the surface of the body.
   2. relationalmedicineRelating to or denoting a medicine or similar substance for use on the outside of the body.
2. Capable of being perceived outwardly.
   1. Having merely the outward appearance of something.

      Synonyms: superficial

   2. Not intrinsic or essential.

      The external circumstances are greatly different.

      1850, Richard Chenevix Trench, Notes on the Miracles of Our Lord

      Synonyms: accidental, accompanying, accidental, adscititious, extraneous, extrinsic

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

   external authority, external force

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

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

   Synonyms: foreign

5. Having existence independent of the mind.

   external reality

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

   external degrees

7. computingNot contained in the main computer.

   Synonyms: peripheral

8. computingUsing a disk or tape drive rather than the main memory.

plural externals · alternative obsolete externall

1. The exterior; outward features or appearances.
   1. plural normallyInessential or superficial features.

      1 more example

      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.

      1979 December 22, S. J. Harris, “Life And Spirit”, in Gay Community News, volume 2, number 22, page 5

   2. plural normallyOutward appearance.

      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.

      1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXV, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 298

      1 more example

      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.

      1934, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], The Bravo of London

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