extraneous

/ek-ˈstrā-nē-əs/

Latin extrāneus "not belonging to one's family or household, coming from abroad, foreign, external" + -ous

adjective

  1. existing on or coming from the outside

  2. not forming an essential or vital part

  3. having no relevance

extraneous light

extrinsic extraneous foreign alien mean external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character. extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature. extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.