Extinguish Meaning and Definition
Extinguish
Pronunciation
/ˈɪkstɪngwiʃ/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To put out or suppress a fire; to remove or reduce a disturbing or annoying factor or influence.
Examples
- The fire extinguisher was used to put out the small blaze.
- The new policy aimed to extinguish the noise pollution in the neighborhood.
Synonyms
- Suppress
- Quench
- Abate
Antonyms
- Ignite
- Stoke
- Foment
Etymology
The verb to extinguish comes from the Old French word ‘estinguish’, which is derived from the Latin ‘extinguere’, meaning ‘to put out or extinguish’.
Usage Notes
Extinguish is often used in contexts where a literal fire needs to be put out, but it can also be used figuratively to describe eliminating a disturbance or nuisance.
Cultural References
In popular culture, the term ‘extinguish’ is often referenced in songs and films that deal with themes of fire, destruction, or chaos.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
‘Extinguish the flame’ is an idiomatic phrase that means to calm or soothe an emotional situation.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases closely related to ‘extinguish’ include ‘put out’, ‘suppress’, ‘quench’, and ‘abate’.
Collocations
‘Extinguish’ often collocates with words like ‘fire’, ‘flame’, ‘spark’, ‘heat’, and ‘noise’.
Frequency of Use
‘Extinguish’ is a relatively common verb, particularly in contexts related to fire safety and emergency services.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of ‘extinguish’ include ‘extinguish’, ‘exstinguish’, ‘extingush’, and ‘extingeuish’.