extirpate

Everyday

1. (formal) To extirpate something is to destroy it completely, pulling it out by the roots. tree →
2. (science) A species is extirpated from an area when it dies out there but still lives elsewhere. tree →
3. (medical) To extirpate can mean to remove an organ or growth completely by surgery. tree →

In the lessons

A rare, formal word. In nature and conservation, wolves were extirpated from Britain, but they still live in Canada; bears were extirpated in many places. In history and formal writing, people tried to extirpate ideas, diseases or crimes. Phrases: «extirpate a disease», «extirpated from the region».

Examples

• The government tried to extirpate the disease completely. tree →
• Beavers were extirpated from England but have now returned. tree →
• Gardeners try to extirpate weeds by the roots. tree →
• The king vowed to extirpate all rebels. tree →
• The species is extirpated from Ireland but still lives in Scotland. tree →
• The surgeon extirpated the growth. tree →

Note

Very formal; everyday speech says «wipe out» or «root out». Say «EK-ster-pate». Noun: extirpation. Difference: extinct = gone everywhere; extirpated = gone from one area only.