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Extinct

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means having no living members

Where does the word "extinct" come from? It comes from Latin exstinctus, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
exstinctus
Latin · ancient
"put out, quenched"
past participle of 'exstinguere', to quench
2
Stage 2 of 2
extinct
English · 1400s
"extinguished"
extinct species date from the 1760s
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Read the full story

Extinct’s story begins in Latin: exstinctus meant “put out, quenched.” Past participle of 'exstinguere', to quench. It reached English by 1400s as extinct. Extinct species date from the 1760s. Today, extinct means having no living members.