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draconian - 5 dictionary results

Dra⋅co⋅ni⋅an

[drey-koh-nee-uhn, druh-]
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Draco or his code of laws.
2. (often lowercase) rigorous; unusually severe or cruel: Draconian forms of punishment.
Also, Draconic.


Origin:
1810–20; < L Dracōn- (s. of Draco ) + -ian


Dra⋅co⋅ni⋅an⋅ism, noun
Dra·co 1   (drā'kō)   
Athenian politician who codified the laws of Athens (c. 621). Lauded for its impartiality, his code was unpopular for its severity.
Dra·co'ni·an adj.
dra·co·ni·an   (drā-kō'nē-ən, drə-)   
adj.  Exceedingly harsh; very severe: a draconian legal code; draconian budget cuts.

[After Draco.]

Draconian

Dra*co"ni*an\, a. Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c.

Draconian code, or Draconian laws, a code of laws made by Draco. Their measures were so severe that they were said to be written in letters of blood; hence, any laws of excessive rigor.

draconian 
1876 (earlier Draconic, 1680), from Draco, Gk. statesman who laid down a code of laws for Athens 621 B.C.E. that mandated death as punishment for minor crimes. His name seems to mean lit. "sharp-sighted" (see dragon).
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