eliminate
UK: ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt | US: ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt
vt. to completely remove or get rid of something
vt. to defeat or exclude someone from a competition
vt. (biology) to expel waste from the body
The word "eliminate" traces back to Latin eliminare, meaning "to banish beyond the threshold." It combines e- (out) + limen (threshold), metaphorically suggesting removal from a defined space or system. The term entered English in the 16th century, initially used in mathematical contexts before broadening to general usage. The core logic persists: pushing something "out past the boundary" of relevance or existence.
The vaccine aims to eliminate the disease entirely.
Our team was eliminated in the semifinals.
The kidneys help eliminate toxins from the body.
The new policy will eliminate unnecessary paperwork.
Errors were eliminated through careful proofreading.