drastic

Meanings

1. Having a strong or far-reaching effect; extreme, severe.
2. Acting rapidly or violently.

1. A powerful, fast-acting purgative medicine.

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek δρᾰ́ω (drắō) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Ancient Greek -τις (-tis) Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Ancient Greek δρᾶσῐς (drâsĭs) ▲ Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) ? Proto-Indo-European *-tós Ancient Greek -τος (-tos) ▲ Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) ? Ancient Greek -τῐκός (-tĭkós) Ancient Greek δρᾱστῐκός (drāstĭkós)der. English drastic From Ancient Greek δραστικός (drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις (drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω (dráō, “to do”).