from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Extirpate \Ex"tir*pate\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Extirpated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Extirpating}.] [L. extirpatus,
exstirpatus, p. p. of extirpare, exstirpare; ex out + strips
stock, stem, root.]
To pluck up by the stem or root; to root out; to eradicate,
literally or figuratively; to destroy wholly; as, to
extirpate weeds; to extirpate a tumor; to extirpate a sect;
to extirpate error or heresy.
Syn: To eradicate; root out; destroy; exterminate;
annihilate; extinguish.
[1913 Webster]