What does "intrinsic" mean?

Intrinsic: (Anat.) Included wholly within an organ or limb, as certain groups of muscles; -- opposed to extrinsic. Intrinsic energy of a body (Physics), the work it can do in virtue of its actual condition, without any supply of energy from without. -- Intrinsic equation of a curve (Geom.), the equation which expresses the relation which the length of a curve, measured from a given point of it, to a movable point, has to the angle which the tangent to the curve at the movable point makes with a fixed line. -- Intrinsic value. See the Note under Value, n.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A genuine quality. [Obs.] Warburton.

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