extinct
/ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈstiŋ(k)t ˈek-ˌstiŋ(k)t/ (ame, mw)
extinct — 形容詞
- extinctpositive
- more extinctcomparative
- most extinctsuperlative
1. describes a type of animal, plant, language, or way of life that once existed on
滅絕
物種或文明完全消失
describes a type of animal, plant, language, or way of life that once existed on earth but has completely died out, so that no members or speakers remain anywhere.
The dodo bird became extinct in the late 1600s due to hunting and habitat loss.
渡渡鳥在十七世紀末因為人類狩獵和棲息地流失而滅絕。
became extinct + time period + cause
Many indigenous languages in South America risk extinction as fewer children learn them from elders.
南美洲許多原住民語言正面臨滅絕的危機，因為越來越少孩子跟長輩學習這些語言。
risk extinction + reason
Jude studied ancient scripts for his PhD, but the spoken language behind them is now completely extinct.
Jude 的博士論文研究古文字，但那些符號背後的口說語言如今已完全滅絕。
If governments do not protect rainforests, thousands of insect species could become extinct before scientists discover them.
如果政府不保護雨林，數千種昆蟲可能在科學家發現牠們之前就滅絕。
- vanished
emphasises disappearance without a clear trace; can apply to civilisations or objects, not typically to biological species
- lost
broader term that can mean destroyed, misplaced, or simply no longer available; a lost city could be rediscovered, but an extinct species cannot
- defunct
used for organisations, systems, or laws that no longer function; rarely used for living things
文法句型
become + extinct
go + extinct
be + extinct
extinct + noun (species, language, civilization)
用法筆記
Typically used with the verbs become, go, or be declared. Common nouns this adjective modifies include species, language, civilization, culture, tradition, and custom. A species is not called extinct until every last individual has been confirmed dead or gone.
常見錯誤
2. describes a volcano that has not erupted in recorded history and is not expected
死火山
火山不再活躍
describes a volcano that has not erupted in recorded history and is not expected to erupt again, so its cone and crater remain but there is no molten rock activity below the surface.
Mount Hoei in Japan is an extinct volcano that has not erupted for over ten thousand years.
日本的寶永山是一座死火山，已經超過一萬年沒有噴發。
extinct volcano + named example + time since eruption
The trail led the group up the cone of an extinct volcano to a crater filled with rainwater.
步道帶領隊伍登上死火山的錐狀山頂，來到一個積滿雨水的火山口。
Geologists told residents that the mountain was extinct, so there was no need to fear another eruption.
地質學家告訴居民這座山是死火山，不必擔心再次噴發。
Scientists drilled into the extinct volcano's base to study its ancient rock layers.
科學家在死火山的底部鑽探，以研究其古老的岩層。
文法句型
extinct + volcano
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively to modify the noun volcano. Do not confuse with dormant — a dormant volcano could erupt again, while an extinct volcano cannot.
常見錯誤
3. describes a fire, flame, or source of artificial light that has stopped burning
熄滅
火焰或燈火已完全熄滅
describes a fire, flame, or source of artificial light that has stopped burning or shining completely, leaving only cold ash, embers, or a dead bulb.
Élise knelt by the fireplace and blew on the coals, but the fire was extinct and would not catch.
Élise 跪在壁爐旁對著煤炭吹氣，但火已經熄了，無法再燃起。
When the firefighters arrived, the blaze had burned itself extinct, leaving only blackened timber.
消防人員抵達時，大火已經自行燒盡熄滅，只留下焦黑的木頭。
burned itself extinct + remains of fire
The oil lamp had gone extinct hours earlier, and the room was pitch black.
油燈幾小時前就熄了，房間裡一片漆黑。
The campfire they had left was already extinct by the time they returned from the hike.
他們離開營火去健行，等回來時火早已完全熄滅。
文法句型
be + extinct
burn + extinct
用法筆記
In modern everyday English, the adjective extinct for fire has largely been replaced by out or dead. Using extinct in this sense sounds literary or old-fashioned and is uncommon outside novels and historical writing.
常見錯誤
extinct — 動詞
- extinctpresent simple I / you / we / they
- extincts3rd person singular
- extincting-ing form
- extinctedpast simple
1. an archaic or poetic verb meaning to extinguish, that is, to put out a fire, fla
撲滅
使火焰停止燃燒（古語）
an archaic or poetic verb meaning to extinguish, that is, to put out a fire, flame, or light so that it stops burning or shining.
In the old epic, the hero commands the gods to extinct the dragon's fiery breath.
在這首古老的史詩中，英雄命令眾神撲滅惡龍的火焰。
archaic transitive use: to extinct [something]
The medieval chronicle describes a ritual meant to extinct the last embers of rebellion.
中世紀編年史記載了一種旨在撲滅最後反抗火苗的儀式。
The scribe wrote that the queen ordered her guards to extinct every torch in the chamber.
書記官寫道，女王命令衛兵撲滅房間裡每一根火炬。
In the old tale, the wizard raised his hand to extinct the candles on every wall at once.
在古老的傳說中，巫師舉起手，瞬間撲滅了牆上所有的蠟燭。
- extinguish
the standard modern verb for putting out a fire or light
- quench
to put out a fire, especially with water
- douse
to throw water on a fire to put it out
文法句型
extinct + something (archaic)
用法筆記
This verb form is extremely rare in modern English and is almost never used outside historical or poetic writing. The modern verb for this meaning is extinguish. Do not use extinct as a verb in everyday speech or writing.