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extinct

 - 4 dictionary results

ex⋅tinct

[ik-stingkt]
–adjective
1. no longer in existence; that has ended or died out: an extinct species of fish.
2. no longer in use; obsolete: an extinct custom.
3. extinguished; quenched; not burning.
4. having ceased eruption; no longer active: an extinct volcano.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L ex(s)tinctus put out, quenched, ptp. of ex(s)tinguere to extinguish


1. defunct, gone, vanished. See dead. 2. archaic. 3. out.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ex·tinct   (ĭk-stĭngkt')   
adj.  
  1. No longer existing or living: an extinct species.

  2. No longer burning or active: an extinct volcano.

  3. No longer in use: an extinct custom. See Synonyms at dead.

  4. Law Lacking a claimant; void: an extinct title.


[Middle English, from Latin exstīnctus, past participle of exstinguere, to extinguish; see extinguish.]
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

extinct 
1432, from L. extinctus, pp. of extinguere (see extinguish). Originally of fires; the sense of "dying out" of a family, a hereditary title, or a species is first recorded in Eng. 1581.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·tinct
Pronunciation: ik-'sti[ng](k)t, 'ek-"
Function: adjective
: no longer existing : lacking living representatives<extinct prehistoric animals>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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