Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

draconian

 - 4 dictionary results
Draconian at Amazon
Low prices on new & used music. Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com/music

Dra⋅co⋅ni⋅an

  [drey-koh-nee-uhn, druh-]
Use draconian in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
Dra⋅co⋅ni⋅an⋅ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To draconian
Draconian at Amazon
Low prices on new & used music. Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com/music
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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see draconian on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way