external(n = noun.cognition) - outward features; "he enjoyed the solemn externals of religion"
is a kind of characteristic, feature

1.  external(a = adj.all) - happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface; "the external auditory canal"; "external pressures"
Antonym: internal
Derived form noun externality₁

2.  external(s = adj.all) extraneous, outside - coming from the outside; "extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph"; "relying upon an extraneous income"; "disdaining outside pressure groups"
Derived form noun externality₁

3.  external(s = adj.all) international, outside - from or between other countries; "external commerce"; "international trade"; "developing nations need outside help"

4.  external(s = adj.all) - purely outward or superficial; "external composure"; "an external concern for reputation"

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." [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." [1913 Webster]

4.  Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial. [1913 Webster]
"The external circumstances are greatly different." [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.  Away from the mesial plane of the body; lateral. [1913 Webster]

   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" [1913 Webster]
"God in externals could not place content." [1913 Webster]

external, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 a of or situated on the outside or visible part (opp. INTERNAL). b coming or derived from the outside or an outside source.
2 relating to a country's foreign affairs.
3 outside the conscious subject (the external world).
4 (of medicine etc.) for use on the outside of the body.
5 for or concerning students taking the examinations of a university without attending it.
--n. (in pl.)
1 the outward features or aspect.
2 external circumstances.
3 inessentials.

Idiom:
external evidence evidence derived from a source independent of the thing discussed.

Derivative:
externality n. (pl. -ies). externally adv.

Etymology:
med.L f. L externus f. exterus outside

N  exteriority, outside, exterior, surface, superficies, skin, superstratum, disk, disc, face, facet, extrados, excentricity, eccentricity, circumjacence, exterior, external, outer most, outward, outlying, outside, outdoor, round about, extramural, extralimitary, extramundane, superficial, skin-deep, frontal, discoid, extraregarding, excentric, eccentric, outstanding, extrinsic, ecdemic, exomorphic, externally, out, with out, over, outwards, ab extra, out of doors, extra muros, in the open air, sub Jove, sub dio, a la belle etoile, al fresco.

abdominal external oblique muscle, external angle, external auditory canal, external body part, external carotid, external carotid artery, external drive, external ear, external gill, external iliac artery, external iliac vein, external jugular vein, external maxillary artery, external nasal vein, external oblique muscle, external organ, external orifice, external respiration, external storage