intrinsic

Pluralintrinsics

1. 1
   essentialadjective

   Part of what something really is, not added from outside.

   Kindness has intrinsic value, even when nobody sees it.

   Some danger is intrinsic to rock climbing.

   Similarinherent, essential, innate, natural, native

   Oppositeextrinsic

   Note
2. 2
   inside body partadjective

   Found inside a part of the body, or made or starting there.

   The tongue has intrinsic muscles that change its shape when you talk.

   Each heartbeat starts with intrinsic electrical signals made inside the heart itself.

   Similarinternal

   Oppositeextrinsic

   Note
3. 3
   built into languageadjective

   Of a computer function, already built into the programming language.

   You can use the intrinsic function to find a square root without writing your own.

   Most languages have intrinsic operators for adding and multiplying numbers.

   Similarbuilt-in

   Note
4. 4
   compiler shortcutnouncountable

   A built-in function that the compiler handles directly, without calling outside code.

   The programmer used an intrinsic to make the math run faster.

   Game engines often use vector intrinsics to speed up graphics code.

   Note
5. 5
   video gamesnouncountable

   In video games, a power a character has on its own, without any special items.

   My hero got a speed intrinsic, so she runs fast without magic boots.

   The game gives you new intrinsics as your character levels up.

   Note

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