extinguish -
v.tr. 1 cause (a flame,
light, etc.) to die out; put out.
2 make extinct; annihilate, destroy (a programme to
extinguish disease).
3 put an end to; terminate; obscure utterly (a feeling, quality, etc.).
4 a abolish; wipe out (a debt). b Law render
void.
5 colloq. reduce to silence (the argument
extinguished the opposition).
extinguishable adj. extinguishment n. [irreg. f. L extinguere (as EXTINCT): cf. distinguish]
