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Extinguishing

 - 6 dictionary results

ex⋅tin⋅guish

  [ik-sting-gwish]
Use Extinguishing in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to put out (a fire, light, etc.); put out the flame of (something burning or lighted): to extinguish a candle.
2. to put an end to or bring to an end; wipe out of existence; annihilate: to extinguish hope.
3. to obscure or eclipse, as by superior brilliance.
4. Law. to discharge (a debt), as by payment.
Origin:
1535–45; < L ex(s)tingu(ere) (ex- ex- 1 + stinguere to quench) + -ish 2

Related forms:
ex⋅tin⋅guish⋅a⋅ble, adjective
ex⋅tin⋅guish⋅ment, noun

Synonyms:
1. quench, smother, snuff out, blow out.

Antonyms:
1. light, ignite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Extinguishing
ex·tin·guish   (ĭk-stĭng'gwĭsh)   
tr.v.   ex·tin·guished, ex·tin·guish·ing, ex·tin·guish·es

  1. To put out (a fire, for example); quench.

  2. To put an end to (hopes, for example); destroy. See Synonyms at abolish.

  3. To obscure; eclipse.

  4. Law

    1. To settle or discharge (a debt).

    2. To nullify: extinguished their title to the property.

  5. Psychology To bring about the extinction of (a conditioned response).


[Latin exstinguere : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + stinguere, to quench; see steig- in Indo-European roots.]
ex·tin'guish·a·ble adj., ex·tin'guish·ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

extinguish 
1509 (implied in extinguishable), from L. extinguere "quench, wipe out, obliterate," from ex- "out" + stinguere "quench," from PIE *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·tin·guish
Function: transitive verb
1 : to cause the nonexistence of : do away with
2 : to cause (as a claim or right) to be void : NULLIFY
3 : to get rid of (a debt or other liability) by payment or other compensatory adjustment —ex·tin·guish·able adjective —ex·tin·guish·ment noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·tin·guish
Pronunciation: ik-'sti[ng]-(g)wish
Function: transitive verb
: to cause extinction of (a conditioned response) extinguish it —Ralph Linton>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

extinguish ex·tin·guish (ĭk-stĭng'gwĭsh)
n. ex·tin·guished, ex·tin·guish·ing, ex·tin·guish·es
To bring about the extinction of a conditioned response.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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