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Extinguishment - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅tin⋅guish

  [ik-sting-gwish]
Use Extinguishment 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.
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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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Extinguishment

Ex*tin"guish*ment\, n. 1. The act of extinguishing, putting out, or quenching, or the state of being extinguished; extinction; suppression; destruction; nullification; as, the extinguishment of fire or flame, of discord, enmity, or jealousy, or of love or affection.

2. (Law) The annihilation or extinction of a right or obligation. --Abbott.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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