ad extraadv.adj.
/ˌad ˈɛkstrə/, U.S. /ˌæd ˈɛkstrə/ A. adv.
With effect or result in the outside world (as opposed to one's own mind, self, etc.); in the world at large; externally, perceivably; esp. (Theology) with reference to an action or characteristic of God which is communicable to the world beyond the Persons of the Trinity. Opposed to ad intra adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > [adverb]
exteriorly1550
externly1568
extrinsically1584
externally1593
ad extra1606
1606 T. Morton Full Satisfaction conc. Double Romish Iniquitie iii. 69 Both these are actions ad extra, that is, without a man, and haue relation to others then to our selues.
1609 J. Boys Expos. Princ. Script. 34 Almightie God is knowne,..by his effects, ad extra, though not in his essence, ad intra.
1713 Def. Doctrines Holy Trinity iv. 50 I think the Word personally or agentially, both ad intra and ad extra would do better.
1716 F. Grant Key to Plot 13 Speculative or personal Religion, as such; which works not ad extra to the Destruction of others.
1847 J. Harris Pre-Adamite Earth iii. 65 In the nature of the case, there is nothing ad extra, to determine either with what the manifestation shall begin, or how it shall proceed.
1897 Amer. Jrnl. Theol. 1 959 The external world, ultimately, exists only mentally in God's idea, yet it is not a mere act or state of the divine consciousness; it is God operating ad extra, expressing himself in finite modes, forms, creations.
1917 B. J. Otten Man. Hist. Dogmas xvii. 254 The very essence of God demands that all His productive actions be ad extra, terminating in beings whose essence is only analogous to His own.
1922 Studies Mar. 5 These..are unmistakeable indications that the homogeneity of ‘British subjects’ ad extra is rapidly disappearing.
2007 A. L. Pitstick Light in Darkness vi. 116 The works of the Trinity ad extra are in common because they occur within the ongoing divine action and as its consequence.
B. adj.
Designating an action that has an effect or result in the outside world; exteriorized, perceivable, external; (Theology) designating or relating to an action or characteristic of God which is communicable beyond the Persons of the Trinity. Opposed to ad intra adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > [adjective] > externalized
ad extra1825
externalized1876
exteriorized1892
1825 J. Nichols tr. J. Arminius Wks. I. 290 How is this possible, since the ad extra works of the Deity are indivisible [L. quum opera divinitatis ad extra sint indivisa]?
1853 Methodist Q. Rev. Oct. 525 To affirm infinite ad extra action of the Deity, is to affirm that the ad extra effect or object of that action is also infinite.
1898 S. H. Hodgson Metaphysic of Experience I. i. vii. 328 The Subject's bodily movements whatever they may be, whether internal or ad extra,..will be perceived as constituting a single unity with his desires and aversions themselves.
1912 A. Pieters Mission Probl. Japan i. 10 Mission work being, then, the ‘ad extra’ work of the church, as distinguished from that which is ‘ad intra’.
1939 ELH 6 320 The poetic inspiration as an ad extra grace, merely one of many charismata data belonging by approximation to the Holy Spirit.
2006 P. A. Fernández-Sánchez Internat. Legal Dimension of Terrorism v. i. 344 The European Union should have adopted both ad intra and ad extra global action.
2010 J. G. Flett Witness of God ii. 41 Missio..originally described the ad extra movement of the Son and the Spirit, the sending of Jesus Christ into history in the power of the Spirit.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.adj.1606