Used as a prefix or in compounds to indicate something coming from outside, such as foreign influence, imported goods, or external factors. Often appears in terms like 外来語 (loanword) and 外来種 (invasive species).
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
outpatient; outpatient care; outpatient clinic
abbreviation
Abbreviation of 外来患者 (outpatient) or 外来診療 (outpatient care). Commonly used in hospital contexts to refer to non-hospitalized patients or the outpatient department.