extirpation

[ ek-ster-pey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Biology, Ecology. (of a species) the state or condition of having become locally or regionally extinct:

   Forest elephants in Central Africa have experienced a 65 percent reduction in their populations, and extirpation is imminent if the poaching rate persists.

2. Medicine/Medical. the removal or excision of a tumor, organ, etc.:

   Minor controllable bleeding was the only noted complication associated with lymph node extirpation in two of the thirty-nine performed procedures.

Word History and Origins

Origin of extirpation¹

First recorded in 1540–50, for an earlier sense; extirpat(e) ( def ) + -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

It was a contest for extirpation, and ere it ended the flower of the English and the chivalry of the Indians were laid low.

From Project Gutenberg

Hundreds of the ablest judges were selected for the extirpation of this crime.

From Project Gutenberg

They may be operated on by means of incision or extirpation.

From Project Gutenberg

Margaret herself had been purposely kept in ignorance of the plan for the extirpation of the Protestants.

From Project Gutenberg

What prolific sources of disease are not those mineral and vegetable poisons, that have been introduced for its extirpation!

From Project Gutenberg