draconian
See also: Draconian
English
WOTD – 16 May 2009
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /dɹəˈkəʊ.ni.ən/, /dɹækˈəʊ.ni.ən/
- (US) enPR: drā-kō'ni-ən, drə-, IPA(key): /dɹeɪˈkoʊ.ni.ən/, /dɹəˈkoʊ.ni.ən/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -əʊniən
Etymology 1
From the Athenian lawmaker Draco, from Latin Dracō, from Ancient Greek Δράκων (Drákōn), known for making harsh laws. See δράκων (drákōn, “dragon”).
Alternative forms
- Draconian
Adjective
draconian (comparative more draconian, superlative most draconian)
- Very severe or strict.
- The Soviet regime was draconian.
- The mayor announced draconian budget cuts today.
- 2009, Stuart Macintyre, A Concise History of Australia, page 125:
- The conflict in the countryside resulted in a far more draconian punishment. The Southern Cross flag flew over the camps of striking shearers, who in revenge for their victimisation burned grass, fences, buildings and even riverboats […]
- 2020 April 8, Howard Johnston, “East-ended? When the ECML was at risk”, in Rail, page 65:
- Perhaps lessons had already been learned from the Draconian infrastructure cuts on the Waterloo-Exeter route.
Synonyms
- (very severe): cruel, hard, harsh, Orwellian, rigid, strict, stringent
Translations
severe, oppressive or strict
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Etymology 2
From Latin dracō (“dragon”).
Adjective
draconian (comparative more draconian, superlative most draconian)
- (obsolete, except in fiction) Of or resembling a dragon.
- 2006, Steven Erikson, Deadhouse Gates, Book Two, →ISBN, page 384:
- The dragon came low to the earth. It defied every image of a draconian being Kulp had ever seen.
- 2009, Jacob Silvia, Qhoenix, page 73:
- A large sandwyrm (which isn't to be confused with a sandworm) popped its draconian head from the earth.
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Synonyms
- (resembling a dragon): draconic, draconine, dragonish, dragonlike
Translations
of or resembling a dragon
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Anagrams
- Conradian, Rinconada, noncardia
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French draconien.
Adjective
draconian m or n (feminine singular draconiană, masculine plural draconieni, feminine and neuter plural draconiene)
- draconian
Declension
Declension of draconian
singular | plural | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
masculine | neuter | feminine | masculine | neuter | feminine | ||
nominative/ accusative | indefinite | draconian | draconiană | draconieni | draconiene | ||
definite | draconianul | draconiana | draconienii | draconienele | |||
genitive/ dative | indefinite | draconian | draconiene | draconieni | draconiene | ||
definite | draconianului | draconienei | draconienilor | draconienelor |