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extinto

extinct

adjective eks-TEEN-toh Rare

Origin: From Latin extinctus, past participle of extinguere (to extinguish).

Usage Note

Extinto describes species, volcanoes, or institutions that have ceased to exist; los dinosaurios son una especie extinta. In formal or literary register it can apply to flames or lives. The related verb is extinguir (to extinguish); the related noun is extinción. Do not confuse with extinto used as a noun in some Latin American varieties meaning 'the deceased' — a less common usage.

Examples

"El dodo es un ave extinta."

Natural Translation

The dodo is an extinct bird.

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