extinction
UK: /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃn/ | US: /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃn/
n. the state or process of ceasing to exist (e.g., species extinction)
n. the act of extinguishing (e.g., fire extinction)
n. (physics) reduction in intensity (e.g., light extinction)
extinct<extinguish> + ion<noun suffix>
- extinct: From Latin extinctus (past participle of exstinguere), meaning "to quench, destroy."
- ion: A suffix forming nouns denoting action or condition (e.g., creation, decision).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin exstinguere ("to quench"), combining ex- (out) + stinguere (to quench). Over time, extinctus evolved into "extinct" in English, originally describing fires being "put out." By the 16th century, it generalized to mean "no longer existing," later specialized in biology for species disappearance. The suffix -ion formalized the noun form, reflecting a process or result.
The dodo bird faced extinction due to human activity.
Firefighters ensured the complete extinction of the blaze.
Scientists study mass extinction events in Earth’s history.
The extinction of his hopes left him despondent.
Light extinction in the atmosphere affects astronomical observations.