immanent

im·ma·nent

adjective \-nənt\

Definition of IMMANENT

1

: indwelling, inherent <beauty is not something imposed but something immanent — Anthony Burgess>

2

: being within the limits of possible experience or knowledge — compare transcendent

— im·ma·nent·ly adverb

Examples of IMMANENT

1. <a question as to whether altruism is immanent in all individuals or is instead acquired from without>

Origin of IMMANENT

Late Latin immanent-, immanens, present participle of immanēre to remain in place, from Latin in- + manēre to remain — more at mansion

First Known Use: 1535

Related to IMMANENT

Synonyms

built-in, constitutional, constitutive, essential, hardwired, inherent, inborn, inbred, indigenous, ingrain, ingrained (also engrained), innate, integral, intrinsic, native, natural

Antonyms

adventitious, extraneous, extrinsic

Related Words

basic, deep-rooted, elemental, fundamental; congenital, hereditary, inherited, inmost, inner, interior; internal; characteristic, distinctive, peculiar; habitual, inveterate; normal, regular, typical

Near Antonyms

alien, foreign; accidental, coincidental, incidental; acquired, adscititious; superficial, surface; exterior, external