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draconianism

 - 2 dictionary results

Dra⋅co⋅ni⋅an

  [drey-koh-nee-uhn, druh-]
Use draconianism 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.
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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
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