Word of the Day

: November 19, 2021

draconian

adjective dray-KOH-nee-un

What It Means

Draconian means "cruel" or "severe." It is usually used to describe harsh laws, rules, or regulations.

// Small businesses believe that the new tax is draconian.

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draconian in Context

"Members of the public were mostly against the censure policy…. They said the policy was draconian, divisive and unnecessary." — Braden Cartwright, The Daily Post (Palo Alto, California), 14 Oct. 2021

Did You Know?

Draconian comes from Draco, the name of a 7th-century B.C. Athenian legislator who created a written code of law. Draco's code was intended to clarify existing laws, but its severity is what made it really memorable. According to the code, even minor offenses were punishable by death, and failure to pay one's debts could result in slavery. Draconian, as a result, became associated with especially authoritative actions that are viewed as cruel or harsh.