An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. To remove or get rid of, especially as being in some way undesirable.
   

2. Math.: To remove (an unknown variable) from two or more simultaneous equations (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): L. eliminatus, p.p. of eliminare “to thrust out of doors, expel,” from ex limine “off the threshold,” from → ex- “off, out” + limine, ablative of limen “threshold.”

Etymology (PE): Osândan, from Tabari uzitan, huzənniyən, hozənniyan “to expel,” from os- “out,” → ex-, + -ândan suffix of transitive verbs.