Having died out (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: EXTINCT (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Having died out" with 7 letters is "EXTINCT".Extinct means having died out or no longer existing, typically referring to species that have completely disappeared from the Earth. It describes living organisms that have ceased to exist due to environmental changes, natural disasters, or human activity, leaving no surviving members.
Why “Extinct” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “having died out.” The answer, EXTINCT, fits perfectly:
- Having died out: Extinct means no longer existing, living, or active — particularly referring to species, families, or organisms that have completely disappeared — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With seven letters, extinct fits the clue’s enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The term describes a state of total disappearance, whether it applies to animal species, human groups, customs, or even volcanoes that are no longer active.
Extinct is a scientifically significant word rooted in natural history and geological study:
- Origin and usage: Derived from Latin extinguere (“to put out, quench”), from ex- (“out”) and stinguere (“to extinguish” or “smother”). The English form began appearing in the late 15th century, originally meaning “no longer burning,” and later extended to “no longer existing.”
Scientific context:
- Biological: Refers to species that have died out entirely (e.g., dinosaurs, dodos).
- Geological: Used to classify inactive volcanoes (e.g., “an extinct volcano”).
- Cultural or linguistic: Applies metaphorically to customs, languages, or traditions that have vanished over time.
Examples:
- “The Tasmanian tiger became extinct in the 20th century.”
- “Extinct volcanoes have no possibility of future eruptions.”
- “Certain dialects are now considered extinct.”
In quick crosswords like “Having died out (7),” synonymous phrasing and common scientific vocabulary are key to quick recognition:
- Definition: “Having died out” serves as a straightforward, literal definition of extinct.
- Clue type: Simple vocabulary clue — no tricks or wordplay involved.
- Common associations: When clues mention extinction, disappearance, or nonexistence, extinct is usually the first-choice answer.
- Crossword frequency: Words derived from science and natural history — species, fossils, extinct, evolution — are often used because they are both familiar and descriptive.
