English Explanatory Dictionary

draconian

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Very severe, cruel, or harsh.
adj
  1. Of, relating to, characteristic of, or resembling a dragon.
noun
  1. A creature resembling a dragon.
adj
  1. Of or relating to Draco, the first legislator of Athens in Ancient Greece.
  2. Alternative letter-case form of draconian.

Pronunciation

/dɹəˈkəʊ.ni.ən/ /dɹækˈəʊ.ni.ən/ drə-kō'ni-ən drā- /dɹəˈkoʊ.ni.ən/ /dɹækˈoʊ.ni.ən/ en-us-draconian+.ogg en-us-draconian.ogg /drəˈkəʊni.ən/ /drəˈkoʊni.ən/

Word forms

draconian more draconian most draconian draconians

Etymology

From Latin Dracō (stem Dracōn-) + -ian, from Ancient Greek Δράκων (Drákōn), after the Athenian lawmaker Draco, known for making harsh laws. See δράκων (drákōn, “dragon”).

Synonyms

draconic draconical Orwellian rigid rigorous strict stringent draconine dragonesque dragonish dragonlike dragony

Related words

Draconian Drakonian

Derived words

draconianism draconianly
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