I.to pluck up by the stem or root, to root out, extirpate.
I. Lit. (only post-Aug.): “arbores,” Curt. 7, 8, 7; cf. “lucos,” id. 7, 5, 17; and: “silva exstirpata procellis,” Prud. Hamart. 241: “pilos de corpore toto,” Mart. 6, 56, 3.— Transf.: “silvestris ager decrescente luna utilissime exstirpatur,” is cleared from stubble, Col. 11, 2, 52: “agros arboribus atque virgultis,” Pall. Jul. 1, 1.—
II. Trop., to root out, eradicate, extirpate (class.): “vitia et funditus tollere,” Cic. Fat 5, 11: “ex animo humanitatem,” id. Lael. 13, 48: “perturbationes,” id. Tusc. 4, 19, 43: nomina inimica libertati, Sen. de Ira, 1, 16 med.: “virtutem Israël,” Vulg. 1 Macc. 3, 35.
