To destroy completely; to pull up by the roots and eliminate entirely. To eradicate something so thoroughly that no trace remains.
From Latin 'extirpatus,' from 'ex-' (out) + 'stirps' (root, stock). Originally an agricultural term meaning to uproot plants completely, ensuring they couldn't regrow, later extended to mean total elimination of anything.
Remember 'ex-' (out) plus think of 'stirrup' — you're pulling something out so completely by its roots that it's like yanking a stirrup clean off a horse. Complete removal, no chance of regrowth or return.
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