ex
tinct
1
(of an animal, plant, etc.) not having any living members, either due to natural causes, environmental changes, or human activity
- The dodo bird is an example of a species that is now extinct, as it disappeared centuries ago due to human activity.
- Scientists work tirelessly to prevent more species from becoming extinct by studying and conserving endangered animals and their habitats.
- The passenger pigeon was once one of the most abundant bird species in North America but became extinct in the early 20th century.
- The extinction of certain keystone species can have cascading effects on entire ecosystems.
- Conservation efforts aim to protect endangered species and prevent them from becoming extinct.
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2
(of a volcano) not erupted in recorded history, and not expected to erupt again
- Mount Buninyong in Victoria is classified as an extinct volcano, its crater long since weathered away.
- Geologists agree that the volcanic cone beneath Edinburgh Castle is extinct, posing no future threat to the city.
- Olympus Mons on Mars stands as the largest extinct volcano in the solar system, its once-fiery vents forever silent.
- Hikers often marvel at the basalt columns of the extinct volcano that formed the nearby plateau.
- Scientists drilled into the base of the extinct shield volcano to study its ancient lava flows.
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3
(of something once burning, active, or vibrant) having lost its heat, glow, or intensity
- The campfire lay extinct at dawn, its embers reduced to gray ash.
- Their lifelong rivalry grew extinct after they reconciled in middle age.
- The neon sign flickered one last time before falling permanently extinct.
- Over the decades, the family's tradition of Saturday feasts slowly went extinct.
- Passion for the old pastime ran extinct when smartphones became ubiquitous.
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4
applied to languages, customs, or technologies that have disappeared or ceased to be used
- Scholars study extinct languages like Linear A to unlock ancient Civilizations' secrets.
- Polaroid instant film has become extinct in most markets, replaced by digital photography.
- The practice of handcrafting wax seals is nearly extinct in modern correspondence.
- Once-common place names fell extinct after the town was submerged by the reservoir.
- Extinct trading routes lie hidden beneath urban sprawl, known only to historians.