extricate

[ ek-stri-keyt ]

/ ˈɛk strɪˌkeɪt /

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verb (used with object), ex·tri·cat·ed, ex·tri·cat·ing.

to free or release from entanglement; disengage: to extricate someone from a dangerous situation.

to liberate (gas) from combination, as in a chemical process.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of extricate

1605–15; < Latin extricātus (past participle of extricāre), equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + tric(ae) perplexities + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR extricate

1 loose, rescue, deliver, save, recover.

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Related formsex·tri·ca·tion, nounnon·ex·tri·ca·tion, nounun·ex·tri·cat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for extrication

In fact, after making my humble conge, extrication became my only object, and I effected a retreat with difficulty.
Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II.|Pierce Egan
The extrication of the claws, however, was attended with much and violent exertion.
The Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 4|Various
The men knew as well as he that the heavy February snows would block traffic beyond hope of extrication.
The Blazed Trail|Stewart Edward White
He was resolved to make an effort of some kind for the extrication of his sister.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

I, too, think these objects of great importance—ample means for yourself and extrication from your load of debt.
The Letters of Cicero, Volume 1|Marcus Tullius Cicero

British Dictionary definitions for extrication

extricate

/ (ˈɛkstrɪˌkeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to remove or free from complication, hindrance, or difficulty; disentangle

Derived Formsextricable, adjectiveextrication, noun

Word Origin for extricate

C17: from Latin extrīcāre to disentangle, from ex- 1 + trīcae trifles, vexations

xref

See extract

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for extrication (1 of 2)

extrication

1640s, noun of action of extricate.

Word Origin and History for extrication (1 of 2)

extricate

1610s, from Latin extricatus, past participle of extricare "disentangle," perhaps from ex- "out of" + tricae (plural) "perplexities, hindrances," of unknown origin. Related: Extricated; extricating.