ScienceAugust 24, 2026

annihilate

uh-NY-uh-layt

Definition

To destroy completely or cause to cease to exist, specifically referring to the reaction between particles and antiparticles where they destroy each other and release energy.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'annihilare', which combines 'ad-' (to) and 'nihil' (nothing), meaning to reduce to nothing.

In the news

The article uses the word to describe how dark matter particles, known as WIMPs, supposedly collide and destroy one another, leaving behind a detectable gamma-ray signal.

Astronomers Think They’ve Found the Best Evidence for Dark Matter Yet

Read the full article ↗

Gizmodo

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