English Explanatory Dictionary

exterminate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To kill or otherwise permanently eliminate all of (a population, often of pests or undesirables), usually intentionally.
  2. To bring a definite end to; to finish completely.

Pronunciation

/ɛkˈstəː.mɪ.neɪt/ /ɪkˈstəː.mɪ.neɪt/ /ɪkˈstɝ.mɪ.neɪt/ /ɛkˈstɝ.mɪ.neɪt/ en-us-exterminate.ogg

Word forms

exterminate exterminates exterminating exterminated

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin exterminātus, perfect passive participle of exterminō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ex- (“thoroughly”) + terminō (“to finish, close, end”), from terminus (“limit, end”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).

Synonyms

annihilate eradicate extermine uproot stamp out

Related words

terminate termination terminator

Derived words

exterminatable extermination exterminative exterminator exterminatory exterminatrix exterminism
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