'External' definitions:

Definition of 'external'

From: WordNet
adjective
Happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface; "the external auditory canal"; "external pressures" [ant: internal]
adjective
Coming from the outside; "extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph"; "relying upon an extraneous income"; "disdaining outside pressure groups" [syn: external, extraneous, outside]
adjective
From or between other countries; "external commerce"; "international trade"; "developing nations need outside help" [syn: external, international, outside(a)]
adjective
Purely outward or superficial; "external composure"; "an external concern for reputation"- A.R.Gurney,Jr.
noun
Outward features; "he enjoyed the solemn externals of religion"

Definition of 'External'

From: GCIDE
  • External \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. [1913 Webster]
  • Adam was then no less glorious in his externals --South. [1913 Webster]
  • God in externals could not place content. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'External'

From: GCIDE
  • External \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. [1913 Webster]
  • Of all external things, . . . She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Outside of or separate from ourselves; (Metaph.) separate from the perceiving mind. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Outwardly perceptible; visible; physical or corporeal, as distinguished from mental or moral. [1913 Webster]
  • Her virtues graced with external gifts. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial. [1913 Webster]
  • The external circumstances are greatly different. --Trench. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations; as, external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Anat.) Away from the mesial plane of the body; lateral. [1913 Webster]
  • External angles. (Geom.) See under Angle. [1913 Webster]