exogenous

ex·og·e·nous

adjective \ek-ˈsä-jə-nəs\

Definition of EXOGENOUS

1

: produced by growth from superficial tissue <exogenous roots produced by leaves>

2

a : caused by factors (as food or a traumatic factor) or an agent (as a disease-producing organism) from outside the organism or system <exogenous obesity> <exogenous psychic depression> <exogenous market fluctuations>

b : introduced from or produced outside the organism or system; specifically : not synthesized within the organism or system

— ex·og·e·nous·ly adverb

Origin of EXOGENOUS

French exogène exogenous, from exo- + -gène (from Greek -genēs born) — more at -gen

First Known Use: 1830

Other Microbiology Terms

pathogen, salmonella, tetanus

Rhymes with EXOGENOUS

androgynous, autogenous, endogenous, erogenous, homogenous, hydrogenous, monogynous, nitrogenous

ex·og·e·nous

adjective \ek-ˈsäj-ə-nəs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of EXOGENOUS

1

: growing from or on the outside <exogenous spores>

2

: caused by factors (as food or a traumatic factor) or an agent (as a disease-producing organism) from outside the organism or system <exogenous obesity> <exogenous psychic depression>

3

: introduced from or produced outside the organism or system; specifically : not synthesized within the organism or system—compare endogenous

—ex·og·e·nous·ly adverb

Variants of EXOGENOUS

ex·og·e·nous also ex·o·gen·ic \ˌek-sō-ˈjen-ik\ (audio pronunciation)