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).
Derivatives:
extinguishable adj. extinguishment n.
Etymology: irreg. f. L extinguere (as EXTINCT): cf. distinguish