EU-external
|E U - ex - ter - nal|
🇺🇸
/ˌiːˈjuː ɪkˈstɜrnəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌiːˈjuː ɪkˈstɜːnəl/
outside the EU
Etymology
'EU-external' originates as a modern English compound of the abbreviation 'EU' (from 'European Union') and the adjective 'external'. 'EU' is a contemporary English abbreviation derived from 'European Union' (a political entity named in modern English); 'external' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'externus', where 'ex-' meant 'out of' and 'externus' meant 'outside, outward'.
'external' changed from Latin 'externus' into Old French and Middle English forms (e.g. Old French estern/estrain influences), and eventually became the modern English adjective 'external'. The compound 'EU-external' arose in the late 20th/early 21st century with increased use of 'EU' as an abbreviation in policy and media.
Initially, the Latin-derived element meant simply 'outside' or 'outward'. Over time, 'external' retained the core meaning of 'outside' but expanded into legal, political, and technical uses; in the compound 'EU-external' it specifically denotes being outside the jurisdiction or scope of the European Union.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
located outside the European Union; not subject to EU law, jurisdiction, or internal policy frameworks.
The company has several EU-external subsidiaries to handle non-EU markets.
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Adjective 2
relating to countries, markets, or policies that are outside the European Union (used in trade, regulatory, and political contexts).
EU-external trade agreements are negotiated separately from intra-EU arrangements.
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Last updated: 2026/01/12 21:41