internal

internal
interior, internal
The differences in meaning and usage between these two words correspond to those between exterior and external (see exterior, external). Interior is a noun as well as an adjective and refers in physical senses to the inside of things in contrast to the outside, whereas internal is primarily an adjective and is also applied in abstract or figurative meanings:

• Politicisation of religion means the internal transformation of the faith itself —Listener, 1978

• Beset by internal dissent and external opposition, the community discontinued complex marriage in 1879 and formally dissolved in 1881 —Oxford Companion to United States History, 2001.

An internal investigation is one conducted by an organization into its own affairs, and an internal phone call is one made from one member of staff to another in the same building or office. With reference to the body, internal injuries are those sustained by the inside organs, and medicine for internal use is meant to be swallowed. The word is also used occasionally as a noun in the plural to mean ‘intrinsic qualities’ and in various technical applications.

Modern English usage. 2014.

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  • internal — in‧ter‧nal [ɪnˈtɜːnl ǁ ɜːr ] adjective 1. within a company or organization, rather than outside it: • The bank is holding an internal inquiry into the incident. • an internal audit • We have decided to make an internal appointment (= give a… …   Financial and business terms

  • Internal — In*tern al, a. [L. internus; akin to interior. See {Interior}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Inward; interior; being within any limit or surface; inclosed; opposed to {external}; as, the internal parts of a body, or of the earth. [1913 Webster] 2. Derived… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • internal — [in tʉr′nəl] adj. [ML internalis < L internus, inward, internal, akin to inter: see INTER ] 1. of or having to do with the inside; inner 2. to be taken inside the body [internal remedies] 3. having to do with the inner nature of a thing;… …   English World dictionary

  • internal — I adjective absorbed, domestic, domesticus, enclosed, implanted, infixed, ingrained, inmost, innate, inner, innermost, inside, interior, intestmus, private, under the surface, within boundary lines associated concepts: internal affairs, internal… …   Law dictionary

  • internal — (adj.) early 15c., from M.L. internalis, from L. internus within, from inter between (see INTER (Cf. inter )). Meaning of or pertaining to the domestic affairs of a country (e.g. internal revenue) is from 1795. Internal combustion first recorded… …   Etymology dictionary

  • internal — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of or situated on the inside. 2) inside the body. 3) relating to affairs and activities within a country. 4) existing or used within an organization. 5) in or of one s mind or soul. ► NOUN (internals) …   English terms dictionary

  • internal os — n the opening of the cervix into the body of the uterus …   Medical dictionary

  • internal — interior, intestine, *inner, inward, inside Analogous words: intrinsic, constitutional, *inherent, essential Antonyms: external Contrasted words: exterior, *outer, outward, outside: extraneous, *extrinsic, foreign, alien …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • internal — [adj] within centralized, circumscribed, civic, constitutional, domestic, enclosed, gut, home, indigenous, inherent, in house, innate, inner, innermore, inside, interior, intestine, intimate, intramural, intrinsic, inward, municipal, national,… …   New thesaurus

  • internal — 01. Please don t interfere; this is an [internal] matter only. 02. This medicine can be taken [internally] or simply rubbed on the skin. 03. The police are taking action to strengthen [internal] security after the attempted attack on the… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • internal — internality, internalness, n. internally, adv. /in terr nl/, adj. 1. situated or existing in the interior of something; interior. 2. of, pertaining to, or noting the inside or inner part. 3. Pharm. oral (def. 4). 4. existing, occurring, or found… …   Universalium

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