The word "extinct" refers to a species, family, or other group of organisms that no longer exists or has no living representatives. For example, when a species is declared extinct, it means that there are no individuals of that species alive anywhere on Earth. This term is often used in the context of animals and plants that have disappeared due to various reasons, such as habitat destruction, climate change, or overexploitation by humans.
The word "extinct" comes from the Latin "extinctus," which is the past participle of "extinguere," meaning "to extinguish." The roots of this word can be broken down into "ex-" meaning "out" and "tinguere," meaning "to quench" or "to extinguish." The combination reflects the idea of something that has been extinguished or brought to an end.