Main Entry: ex·tra·ne·ous

Pronunciation: \ek-ˈstrā-nē-əs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin extraneus — more at strange

Date: 1638

1 : existing on or coming from the outside <extraneous light>
2 a : not forming an essential or vital part <extraneous ornamentation> b : having no relevance <an extraneous digression>
3 : being a number obtained in solving an equation that is not a solution of the equation <extraneous roots>

synonyms see extrinsic

— ex·tra·ne·ous·ly adverb

— ex·tra·ne·ous·ness noun