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Extirpate: meaning, definitions and examples

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extirpate

 

[ ɛkˈstɜːrpeɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

remove completely

To extirpate means to completely remove or eradicate something. It is often used in the context of eliminating a species or problem from an environment, or in more abstract terms, to eliminate something undesirable.

Synonyms

destroy, eliminate, eradicate, exterminate

Examples of usage

  • The invasive species was extirpated from the island.
  • Efforts were made to extirpate corruption from the government.
  • The surgeon aimed to extirpate the tumor from the patient's body.

Translations

Translations of the word "extirpate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 extirpar

🇮🇳 नष्ट करना

🇩🇪 ausrotten

🇮🇩 menghilangkan

🇺🇦 викорінювати

🇵🇱 wytępić

🇯🇵 根絶する

🇫🇷 extirper

🇪🇸 extirpar

🇹🇷 kökten silmek

🇰🇷 근절하다

🇸🇦 استئصال

🇨🇿 vytěsňovat

🇸🇰 vytlačiť

🇨🇳 根除

🇸🇮 izkoreniti

🇮🇸 útrýma

🇰🇿 жойып жіберу

🇬🇪 გადატანა

🇦🇿 yox etmək

🇲🇽 extirpar

Etymology

The word 'extirpate' comes from the Latin 'extirpāre', which combines 'ex-' meaning 'out' and 'stirpāre', meaning 'to root up.' It entered the English language in the early 17th century. The initial usage pertained to plants, referring to pulling them out by the roots, but it has since broadened to encompass the removal of any entity from its place of existence. The connotation of complete eradication aligns with the original imagery of uprooting a plant, asserting a sense of thoroughness and finality in the act. Over time, 'extirpate' has been applied in various contexts such as medicine, ecology, and social issues, reflecting its versatility and the changing needs of language to express complete removal or abolition.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,789, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.