drastic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   extreme, severe, or far-reaching in action or effect

   The council introduced drastic water restrictions after months of drought.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Drastic, recorded from the late 17th century, ultimately derives from Greek dran, meaning “to do” or “act,” the same verb underlying drama.

From Ancient Greek drastikos ("active, effective"), from dran ("to do, act"). English first used the word for powerful, fast-acting medicines; the modern general sense retains the idea of forceful action but emphasizes severity or far-reaching effects.

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External links

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