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extinct definition

ex·tinct (ek stiŋkt′, ik-)

adjective

    1. having died down or burned out; extinguished an extinct fire
    2. no longer active an extinct volcano
  2. no longer in existence or use; specif., having no living descendant an extinct species
  3. that no living person holds or can claim: said of offices, titles, etc.
  4. no longer spoken as a native language

Etymology: ME < L extinctus, exstinctus, pp. of exstinguere: see extinguish

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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