Ex*ter"nal (?), a. [L. externus,
fr. exter, exterus, on the outside, outward. See
Exterior.] 1. Outward; exterior; relating
to the outside, as of a body; being without; acting from without; --
opposed to internal; as, the external form or surface
of a body.
Of all external things, . . .
She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes.
Milton.
2. Outside of or separate from ourselves;
(Metaph.) separate from the perceiving mind.
3. Outwardly perceptible; visible; physical
or corporeal, as distinguished from mental or moral.
Her virtues graced with external
gifts.
Shak.
4. Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental;
accompanying; superficial.
The external circumstances are greatly
different.
Trench.
5. Foreign; relating to or connected with
foreign nations; as, external trade or commerce; the
external relations of a state or kingdom.
6. (Anat.) Away from the mesial plane
of the body; lateral.
External angles. (Geom.) See under
Angle.
Ex*ter"nal, n. Something external
or without; outward part; that which makes a show, rather than that
which is intrinsic; visible form; -- usually in the plural.
Adam was then no less glorious in his
externals
South.
God in externals could not place
content.
Pope.
