Extirpationist

/ˌɛkstɜrˈpeɪʃənɪst/ noun

Definition

A person who advocates for or practices the complete removal or eradication of something, especially a disease or pest.

Etymology

Derived from extirpation with the agent suffix -ist, meaning 'one who does or believes in extirpation,' following standard English word formation patterns.

Kelly Says

Interestingly, 'extirpationist' was a real label used in medical history—doctors who pushed aggressively for eradication of diseases like smallpox through vaccination were sometimes called extirpationists, representing an optimistic view that humanity could eliminate disease entirely.

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