intrinsic

/in-ˈtrin-zik/

French intrinsèque internal, from Late Latin intrinsecus, from Latin, adverb, inwardly; akin to Latin intra within

adjective

  1. belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing

  2. being or relating to a semiconductor in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains

  3. originating or due to causes within a body, organ, or part

the intrinsic worth of a gem

noun

  1. a substance produced by normal gastrointestinal mucosa that facilitates absorption of vitamin B12