draconian

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or relating to Draco or his harsh code of laws

   Draconian measures.

2. 2
   adj

   Very severe, cruel, or harsh.

   The mayor announced draconian budget cuts today.

3. 3
   adj

   Of, relating to, characteristic of, or resembling a dragon.

   The dragon came low to the earth. It defied every image of a draconian being Kulp had ever seen.

4. 4
   adj

   Of or relating to Draco, the first legislator of Athens in Ancient Greece.

   As to the details of the Draconian constitution, it is certainly surprising to find so many institutions and offices referred to, which had hitherto been only known to exist at a later date.

Simplified etymology

Draconian is named after Draco, a 7th-century BC Athenian lawmaker whose code was notorious for its severity. Since the late 19th century, the word has described laws or punishments considered excessively harsh; the related form draconic had this sense earlier.

From Latin Dracō (stem Dracōn-) + -ian, from Ancient Greek Δράκων (Drákōn), after the Athenian lawmaker Draco, known for making harsh laws. See δράκων (drákōn, “dragon”).

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary