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drastic

 - 5 dictionary results

dras⋅tic

  [dras-tik]
Use drastic in a Sentence
–adjective
1. acting with force or violence; violent.
2. extremely severe or extensive: a drastic tax-reduction measure.
Origin:
1685–95; < Gk drastikós active, equiv. to drast(ós) (verbal adj. of drân to do) + -ikos -ic

Related forms:
dras⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To drastic
dras·tic   (drās'tĭk)   
adj.  

  1. Severe or radical in nature; extreme: the drastic measure of amputating the entire leg; drastic social change brought about by the French Revolution.

  2. Taking effect violently or rapidly: a drastic emetic.


[Greek drastikos, active, from drastos, to be done, from drān, to do.]
dras'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

drastic 
1691, originally medical, "forceful, vigorous, especially in effect on bowels," from Gk. drastikos "effective," from drasteon "(thing) to be done," from dran "to do, act, perform." Sense of "extreme, severe" is first recorded 1808.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1dras·tic
Pronunciation: 'dras-tik
Function: adjective
: acting rapidly or violently —used chiefly of purgatives —dras·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Main Entry: 2drastic
Function: noun
: a powerful medicinal agent; especially : a strong purgative
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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