ENGLISH
REFERENCE

extant

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɛkstənt// UK //ɛkstˈɑːnt// ex·tant Archaic

adj. still in existence today. It describes very old things, like documents or animals, that have not disappeared or died out over time.

adj. still in existence; surviving. Used primarily to describe historical documents, biological species, or physical structures that have not been lost or destroyed.


SIMPLE

There are only three extant copies of this ancient book.

CONTEXTUAL

While many of the composer's early works were lost in the fire, his later symphonies remain extant and are still performed today.

COMPLEX

The researcher spent years cataloging the extant manuscripts of the medieval text to determine which version was closest to the original author's intent.

Antonyms
Origin

First attested in 1545, from Latin extantem, extāns, present participle of extō (“to stand out, exist, be extant”), from ex- (“out”) + stō (“stand”).

Usage

Typically used in formal or academic contexts; often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun describing historical artifacts.

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