Main Entry: ex·og·e·nous

Pronunciation: \ek-ˈsä-jə-nəs\

Function: adjective

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

Date: 1830

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