"Outter" is not the correct spelling; the correct spelling is "outer." "Outer" is an adjective that refers to the external or exterior part of something, often in relation to a central or inner part. Here's a more detailed explanation:
- External or exterior: When something is described as "outer," it means it is on the outside or surface of an object, area, or structure. For example, the outer wall of a building is the part facing away from the interior, and the outer layer of an onion is the skin that you peel off.
- Opposite of inner: "Outer" is often used in contrast to "inner." The inner part is closer to the center or core, while the outer part is farther away from it. For example, the outer ring of a target is the part farthest from the bullseye.
- Spatial relationship: "Outer" can describe the relative position or location of something with respect to something else. For instance, the outer suburbs of a city are the areas located farther away from the city center.
- Metaphorical Use: Beyond its literal meaning, "outer" can also be used metaphorically. For instance, one might refer to someone's "outer appearance" to mean how they look on the surface, as opposed to their inner qualities or personality.
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Through the Google Books Ngram Viewer, we can see that outer has a much higher use than its misspelling outter in Google’s database of published books in both American and British English since the year 1800.
The misspelling of "outer" as "outter" may occur because English has many words that end in "tter", such as "butter," "clutter," and "scatter." People might mistakenly apply this pattern to "outer" and misspell it as "outter" because it appears consistent with other words they know.
Example sentences
- The outer layer of the cake was beautifully decorated with frosting and sprinkles.
- He put on his warmest jacket to brave the cold weather, but he still felt a chill on his outer extremities.
- The outer rim of the galaxy is filled with countless stars and celestial bodies.
- The outer walls of the fortress were thick and imposing, designed to withstand attacks.
- She carefully peeled the outer layer of the onion to reveal the tender inner layers.
- The outer suburbs of the city offer more space and tranquility compared to the bustling downtown area.
- Astronomers use powerful telescopes to study objects in the outer reaches of our solar system.
- The outer beauty of the painting captivated everyone, but its deeper meaning left a lasting impression.
- The outer envelope of the package was torn, but the contents inside were undamaged.
- As we ventured into the outer limits of the forest, the sounds of wildlife grew more pronounced.
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