EXTRANEOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Extraneous is an adjective used to describe something that is not inherent or relevant to a particular situation, subject, or context. It refers to things that are unnecessary, superfluous, or additional, often serving to distract or divert attention away from the main focus or purpose. Extraneous elements do not contribute any value or have any bearing on the issue at hand, and their inclusion is deemed unnecessary or excessive.
When referring to objects or items, extraneous denotes something that is unrelated or unrelatedly present, lacking any essential or expected connection. For example, in a scientific experiment, an extraneous variable is one that can influence the outcome but is not intentionally manipulated or controlled as part of the study. These variables are viewed as unrelated to the experiment and need to be accounted for or controlled to ensure accurate results.
Extraneous can also refer to external or tangential information or remarks that are not directly pertinent to a discussion or argument. In this sense, it implies that such information is unnecessary, irrelevant, or off-topic. Extraneous details often appear as digressions or diversions, diverting attention away from the main point or purpose of a conversation.
Overall, the word "extraneous" highlights the presence of something that is nonessential, unrelated, or unnecessary within a given context, emphasizing its lack of relevance and its potential to detract from the intended focus or message.
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Outside of the organism and not belonging to it.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Foreign; not belonging to a thing; without or beyond a thing.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for EXTRANEOUS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for EXTRANEOUS
Etymology of EXTRANEOUS
The word "extraneous" originated from the Latin word "extraneus", meaning "foreign" or "external". It is formed from the combination of two Latin words: "extra", meaning "outside" or "beyond", and "aneus", which indicates a quality or relationship. Over time, "extraneus" evolved into "extraneous" in English, retaining the sense of something being external, unrelated, or not essential.
Similar spelling words for EXTRANEOUS
- exturnus,
- extravagance,
- extravagantly,
- "extraneous,
- equestriennes,
- externus,
- extrasensory,
- Exterraneous,
- extra points,
- Extravagancy,
- extractor,
- equestrians,
- externes,
- extra large,
- EXTRANS,
- extrados,
- extradite,
- extravaganza,
- extravagant,
- EXTRANEUS,
- extractable,
- extrinsic,
- externs.
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